Founding CARDA Member Leaves Behind Decades of Legacy in Search and Rescue Operations

CALIFORNIA — July 9, 2025 — The search and rescue community across the United States is mourning the profound loss of Shirley Hammond, a pioneering K9 handler and one of the founding members of the California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA). Shirley passed away peacefully this week at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the very foundations of modern canine search and rescue.

With a career spanning over four decades, Shirley was not only a responder in some of the most devastating disasters in recent history but also a key architect behind the systems, standards, and certifications used today in K9 Search and Rescue (SAR) and Human Remains Detection (HRD).

A Life of Courage, Compassion, and Commitment

Shirley’s passion for service began in the early 1980s, during a time when organized K9 SAR units were still in their infancy. Alongside her husband and fellow handler, Dave Hammond, Shirley helped develop the framework for what would eventually become the backbone of organized disaster response in California — long before the establishment of formal FEMA Task Forces and the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES).

Her contributions were not just administrative or instructional; she was often on the front lines. One of her most notable deployments was during the catastrophic 1985 Mexico City earthquake, where she and her canine partner spent days navigating collapsed buildings in search of survivors and victims. It was this experience — and many others like it — that deepened her commitment to building a better system for SAR professionals.

Her work extended into developing training standards, operational protocols, and certification systems for K9 units — many of which are still in use today. Shirley was instrumental in shaping the discipline of Human Remains Detection (HRD), transforming it into a highly skilled and standardized area of SAR operations.

Founding CARDA: A Vision Realized

In 1976, Shirley helped co-found the California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA), now one of the most respected volunteer-based K9 SAR organizations in the country. Her vision was to build a collaborative, skilled, and accountable team of volunteers who could respond rapidly and effectively to missing person cases, natural disasters, and mass casualty events.

Through CARDA, she trained and mentored hundreds of dog handlers, many of whom went on to become leaders within state and federal response teams. Shirley didn’t just train handlers — she nurtured them, offering guidance not just in the field but in life. Her students often recall her as “fierce in standards, but full of heart.”

“She was a pillar — both tough and kind,” said a longtime handler and friend. “She always reminded us that what we do is not just about dogs or detection — it’s about giving families answers.”

A Lasting Legacy

Shirley Hammond’s passing is not just the loss of a leader, but the loss of a true pioneer whose work continues to ripple outward. Her contributions shaped the evolution of modern K9 SAR, particularly in urban disaster response, where her influence is still felt in every well-trained dog and every handler who follows the protocols she helped create.

Her death has triggered an outpouring of grief and gratitude across SAR circles in California and beyond. CARDA and several other SAR organizations are planning memorial services, honor ceremonies, and dedicated handler reunions to celebrate her life and legacy. Many are calling for a national award or memorial scholarship to be created in her name, ensuring that Shirley’s mission of excellence and service continues into future generations.

Remembering Shirley Hammond

Shirley is survived by her husband, Dave Hammond, her extended SAR family, and the countless individuals and families whose lives were changed because of her work. Her name will forever be etched into the history of emergency response in America — not just for what she did, but for how she did it: with courage, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the power of partnership between human and dog.

As tributes continue to pour in, the message is clear: Shirley Hammond was more than a rescuer — she was a builder of legacies.