Sioux Falls Dog Aims For A Hero’s Role In Rescue

Sioux Falls might just have its own Underdog in the making, cape not included.

While this local pup isn’t training to become a superhero exactly, he is showing off some serious skills in hopes of landing a much bigger role.

Meet Marlin, a two-year-old dog from the Sioux Falls Humane Society who is currently in California, auditioning to become a search and rescue dog with the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation.

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According to Dakota News Now, Marlin is trying to prove he has what it takes to join the elite FEMA search dog program, a process that’s part athletic tryout, part personality test, and part intense game of fetch.

Missy John, owner of Nerdy K9 Academy, told Dakota News Now that one of the biggest traits evaluators look for is a strong drive for ball play.

“They want dogs who are motivated by toys, because that’s their reward,” John said. “When we first saw Marlin, he was in the yard playing ball with people nonstop. There was just a spark in him. You could really see that drive.”

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That spark led trainers to reach out to the South Dakota Canine Center, and before long, Marlin found himself heading west for his big audition.

If Marlin makes the cut, it could still be another one to two years before FEMA officially deploys him into service.

Kellee Matthews, co-owner of the South Dakota Canine Center, explained that the selection process is extremely competitive. Each year, around 500 dogs are tested, and only one is chosen to fill the role.

Even if Marlin doesn’t end up with FEMA, he could still find a future as a detection dog with another agency, not a bad backup plan for a former shelter pup.

Just making it to California is a strong sign that Marlin has something special. And his journey is proof that shelter dogs aren’t just waiting for homes; some are waiting for a chance to become heroes, one tennis ball at a time.