TEEX Dog a Finalist for Work at Ground Zero

Sept. 11--A 15-year-old golden retriever and TEEX veteran believed to be the last surviving FEMA search dog who worked at ground zero following the 2001 terrorist attacks is a finalist for the American Humane Association's Hero Dog Awards.

Bretagne, who retired from her search and rescue duties with College Station-based Texas Task Force 1 in 2008, returned to New York City this week with her handler, Denise Corliss of Cypress. They visited the 9/11 Memorial for the first time Tuesday to tape an interview with NBC News' Tom Brokaw, who will share their story with the nation on Thursday's Today show.

Corliss and Bretagne were deployed with Texas Task Force 1 about a week after the attacks and spent nine days at ground zero searching for survivors.

"What I remember from that time is that I think all of us wanted to help our country," Corliss said.

"9/11 was a historical time," she said. "I was just grateful to have been part of Texas Task Force 1 and a team that was able to do what we could to help."

Following their deployment, Bretagne became part of a University of Pennsylvania medical study that monitors her health each year. Neither she nor her handler have shown signs of illness caused by their time at ground zero, Corliss said.

Since retiring from the task force after about a dozen deployments, which included hurricanes Rita and Katrina, Bretagne has continued serving others.

"Working dogs are not OK with retirement, so for her, what keeps her going, what keeps her stimulated is being able to have a job," Corliss said. "So that was very important."

Bretagne now works with the Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department and also serves as a reading dog at a Houston-area elementary school, helping children learn to read with her calming influence. Corliss remains a member of Task Force 1 with 3-year-old golden retriever Taser. Her other golden, Aid'n, retired from the task force last year.

While Bretagne was a focused dog during her searches, Corliss described the Hero Dog nominee as a very social animal, often demanding to be pet and following her around with a bag of dog treats.

Bretagne made known her desire for a treat with one loud bark Wednesday night as Corliss spoke with The Eagle over the phone.

But it's her life of service that Corliss hopes will be remembered.

"From a young pup she was selected to do this work," Corliss said. "It's who she is."

On her award nomination page, a teammate described Bretagne as a fiercely devoted and affectionate dog.

"In remembering her first deployment at the World Trade Center, there are images of her going to where she was directed to search, the unknown, the chaotic environment," the teammate wrote. "But even then, she knew who needed the comfort of a dog, which firefighter needed to hold her close and stroke her fur."

As one of eight Hero Dog Award finalists, Bretagne will receive $1,500 to give to her charity of choice, Penn Vet Working Dog Center. Voting continues through Monday at HeroDogAwards.org. The winner, receiving an additional $5,000 for charity, will be announced on Sept. 27.

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/txtf1/posts/719135968141720

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