Bretagne was only 2 years old when she arrived at one of the most devastating disaster scenes in American history.
Twenty-five years after 9/11, her story remains one of the most powerful chapters in the history of America’s search dogs.
Bretagne was a Golden Retriever partnered with Denise Corliss of Texas Task Force 1.
After the World Trade Center attacks, the newly certified search team deployed to New York. Bretagne spent about 10 days working through the wreckage at Ground Zero, searching among concrete, twisted steel, ash and debris.
It was her first major deployment.
It would not be her last.
Bretagne later responded to other disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, before retiring from active search work. In retirement, she continued serving her community, including spending time with children as a reading assistance dog.
Then, in 2014, something meaningful happened.
At 15 years old, Bretagne returned to New York with Denise and visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. A memorial cobblestone had also been dedicated in their names.
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