Remembering Shirley Hammond: A Pioneer in K9 Search and Rescue Passes Away
It is with heavy hearts and profound respect that we share the passing of Shirley Hammond, a trailblazing force in the world of K9 Search and Rescue (SAR) and a founding member of CARDA (California Rescue Dog Association). Shirley’s unwavering commitment to the field, her love for working dogs, and her pioneering spirit helped lay the foundation for the search and rescue standards we know today. Her life was a beacon of service, courage, and deep compassion — and her absence leaves a lasting void in the SAR community and beyond.
A Life Devoted to Service and Innovation
For decades, Shirley stood as one of the original architects of modern urban search and rescue (USAR) operations, long before the formation of Cal-OES or the FEMA Task Forces that we now rely on in times of crisis. Together with her devoted husband, Dave Hammond, Shirley answered the call during some of the most critical and catastrophic disasters in recent memory — including the 1985 Mexico City Earthquake, where her work with K9 teams helped locate victims in devastating conditions.
Shirley was never content to simply respond to emergencies — she worked tirelessly behind the scenes to build infrastructure, design training programs, and develop certification standards for K9 SAR teams across the nation. Her expertise in Human Remains Detection (HRD) was groundbreaking, and she was instrumental in shaping the methods and benchmarks that SAR handlers still use today.
Through countless deployments, mentoring relationships, and leadership roles, Shirley forged a path that generations of handlers would follow — always with integrity, heart, and a commitment to excellence.
A Community Builder and Mentor
Shirley was more than a handler — she was a mentor, leader, and friend. She believed in empowering others, and she shared her knowledge freely with those eager to learn. Whether she was teaching a new team the fundamentals of HRD work, supporting young handlers through their first certifications, or offering words of wisdom on the nuances of K9 behavior, Shirley’s presence made everyone around her better.
She was known for her calm confidence, her precision in the field, and her unwavering belief in the bond between handler and dog. Shirley did not seek accolades; she was driven by purpose and the quiet satisfaction of helping others — whether that meant locating a missing person, training a new team, or offering comfort in the aftermath of disaster.
A Legacy That Lives On
Shirley’s impact is immeasurable and enduring. Her fingerprints are found in the protocols we follow, the standards we uphold, and the spirit of camaraderie and excellence that defines the SAR community. Her work has saved lives, brought closure to families, and inspired countless individuals to join the mission of search and rescue.
Those who knew her will remember her as someone who brought grace under pressure, wisdom without ego, and a steady presence during the most chaotic of times. Her love for her dogs, her family, and her SAR community was boundless.
Though she is no longer with us in body, her legacy continues in every handler she trained, every K9 team she supported, and every life she touched.
In Deepest Sympathy
Our thoughts, love, and prayers go out to Dave Hammond and the entire Hammond family during this time of immense loss. We stand with them in grief and gratitude — grieving the loss of a truly extraordinary woman and giving thanks for a life that left our world better than she found it.
Rest in eternal peace, Shirley Hammond.
Your light, your leadership, and your legacy will live on in every search, every rescue, and every life made whole through the work you helped build.