For more than three decades, the Search Dog Foundation (SDF) has shown up at some of the most challenging search-and-rescue missions with the goal of detecting and saving the lives of people trapped in disaster zones. Now the roofing industry has a role in that continued mission through a new partnership.

Brava Roof Tile and SDF recently announced that they’ve joined forces to improve disaster response training by enhancing how search-and-rescue dogs prepare for real-world emergency scenarios. By integrating Brava’s durable roofing tiles into SDF’s state-of-the-art training center in Santa Paula, Calif., the current and next generation of these highly-skilled, coveted canines can now be more effective.

“We didn’t have the right props at our training center to simulate roof collapses with loose, slippery tiles,” said Denise Sanders, SDF’s senior director of communications. “When a dog comes through the gates here, it has already begun its journey with the help of many humans along the way.”

Founded in the wake of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing — which exposed the need for mobile, highly-trained canine search teams — the SDF has grown into a premier national training organization, preparing rescued dogs and first responders for worst-case scenarios.

Dogs trained for search-and-rescue operations by the Search Dog Foundation can now prepare for slippery tile roof surfaces thanks to donations from Brava.

The nonprofit recruits rescued dogs, trains them for disaster search, and pairs them with first responders at no cost. To date, 293 SDF-trained teams have deployed to 251 disasters and missing person searches. Currently, 95 active teams operate across multiple states and can be deployed nationwide through mutual aid agreements.

While they train regularly and incorporate the latest technology into their operations, SDF teams identified a critical gap in their training program upon returning from the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake response. Over the years, they developed protocols without realistic, collapsed roof simulations.

Brava Roof Tile helped address the need by donating its synthetic roofing tiles to construct training props that accurately replicate disaster conditions. The tiles provide a durable and realistic surface for search dogs to train on, helping them build confidence and agility in navigating unstable environments.

"Here, dogs learn to navigate everything,” Sanders explained. “Visiting teams from all over the country come here to be challenged on dynamic props they wouldn't get to experience except on a deployment.”

Dogs from shelters are given a second chance at life by becoming search-and-rescue dogs with SDF.

A New Chance

While emergency response budgets remain stretched thin, SDF provides highly-trained canine teams that fire departments could not otherwise afford. Through its public-private partnership, SDF ensures communities have elite search-and-rescue teams ready to save lives anywhere, anytime.

Brava’s leadership recognized that the foundation’s work saves lives, and hoped to contribute to the readiness of these elite canine teams.

“Hearing what this team is capable of, we knew we had to help,” said Aaron Sholl, Brava sales manager. “These dogs and handlers could be deployed anywhere at a moment’s notice, and we wanted to ensure their training was as realistic as possible.”

The impact of Brava’s contribution is evident, officials said. With the addition of these new training props, SDF has been able to simulate collapsed roof conditions more effectively, allowing dogs to track scents through debris and navigate shifting surfaces with greater precision.

Dogs are trained to search for disaster victims, including collapsed roof simulations..

“The Brava tile prop creates highly challenging roof collapse scenarios with slippery, shifting surfaces,” Sanders said. “One of the things we work with our dogs on, whether they're just starting out or veterans, is footing and agility. Plus, we can safely position victims beneath the tiles, allowing dogs to track their scent, just like in a real deployment.” 

Beyond improving training conditions, this collaboration aligns with Brava’s mission of supporting sustainability and community resilience. Many of the dogs trained by SDF come from shelters and are given a second chance at life as elite search-and-rescue animals. Brava said it’s proud to support an organization that transforms these animals into lifesaving heroes while strengthening nationwide disaster response capabilities.

“I have to start by saying — I’m a dog person to the extreme,” said Jason Marquez, Brava’s southwest regional manager. “We are very honored for the opportunity to donate materials that help their mission. Seeing all the different dogs training, from young pups to old ones like me, it’s just incredible.”

Providing shelter via rooftops is always rewarding, but this unique partnership put the impact the roofing industry can have into perspective, Scholl said.

“We're passionate about the products we create and the relationships we build,” he said. “When you get opportunities to make relationships with the team here at SDF, it really hits home and it makes you feel at the end of the day that what you're doing matters.”