Sarah's Story

Sarah Atlas is K-9 handler and a member of the New Jersey Task Force 1, which provides advanced technical search and rescue capabilities to victims trapped or entombed in structurally collapsed buildings.

On September 11, 2001, she was part of a 10-dog, 143-person search and rescue team that was called to the ruins of the World Trade Center. Sarah and her dog Ana did not leave Ground Zero until September 20.

After returning from the World Trade Center, Sarah’s beloved K9 partner Anna became ill and was unable to continue her work as a search and rescue dog.

Through the generosity of the community, over 700 elementary school children, their parents, and other caring citizens of the United States, much needed funds were raised to obtain a new K-9 partner. Sarah named the new dog Tango.

Sarah was inspired by that generosity and selflessness and established the Search and Rescue Dog Foundation. This non-profit was established to assist volunteer K-9 handlers with grant money to replace retiring, ill, or deceased search dogs.

Sarah said about her experience at Ground Zero:

"(The experience) made me question whether I want to continue with search and rescue, but the answer is 'yes'. I would do it again," she said. "To be able to find someone, dead or alive, and either bring that person home or bring closure to their loved ones; to make that kind of difference is worth it."

With great sadness, Sarah had to say goodbye to Tango in 2011 and put him down due to chronic pain and suffering.

She currently has 2 dogs, Busar and Kaylee, and continues to be active in the search and rescue community. Her work of the Search and Rescue Dog Foundation is her way of honoring all those in search and rescue and the memories of Anna and Tango.