For those of you who are interested in the dogs of 9/11 SAR, this was a
summary of a presentation given by veterinarian Dr. Cynthia Otto from U of
Penn, she gave the presentation at the AKC CHF Health Conference in St.
Louis in August of 2011. She was one of the first responders to ground zero
in NY to set up to provide care for the 95 SAR dogs. I also saw her
presentation at the CHF conference in October of 2001, so it was great to
hear the follow-up presentation as well.

The video was played at the conference this year, I don't think I've ever
heard 300 people be so completely quiet...



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Dear AKC CHF National Parent Club Canine Health Conference Attendees,

August 16, 2011

On behalf of the Penn Vet Working Dog Center and the Search & Rescue dogs
serving throughout our country, we want to thank each of you and the
organizations you represent for your participation in the continued pursuit
of superior canine health. Continued and generous support received from the
AKC Canine Health Foundation has made possible the 9/11 Medical Surveillance
Study that is now in its 10th consecutive year of monitoring the health
impacts on those Search & Rescue dogs deployed to the World Trade Center,
Pentagon, and Staten Island Landfills. Your foresight in funding this study
has brought to light new information that will benefit the future of working
dogs and our companions that we care so much for.

Highlights of Research Findings
. Both clinical reports and X-ray findings show minimal lung abnormalities.
This is in stark contrast to the findings in the human responders suggesting
important differences between the humans and dogs.
. The average age at the time of death of the 75/95 deceased deployed dogs
was 12.5 years and of the 35/55 deceased control dogs was 11.8 years.
. Approximately 40% of both groups succumbed to cancer although there was no
statistical difference in incidence of cancer. Both groups had an equal
incidence of hemangiosarcoma and we are continuing to monitor for
differences in incidence of other cancer types.
. Handlers that suffered the loss of their canine partner within 3 years of
the 9/11 response had a higher incidence of PTSD demonstrating the
importance of dogs to human health.

We look forward to continued partnership ensuring maximization of health and
performance for detection dogs in all disciplines. Please feel free to share
these findings with your fellow fanciers and colleagues who were unable to
join us. The Search & Rescue Dog 10th Anniversary Tribute video shown at the
conference is available at

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=Fcsc_r3J4do


The 2011 Penn Vet International Working Dog Conference and the 10th
Anniversary Tribute hosted by Finding One Another will be hosted September
7-11.

Further information can be found at:
Penn Vet Working Dog Center http://www.pennvetw dc.org/
Finding One Another http://www.findingo neanother. org/

Sincerest gratitude,

Dr. Cindy Otto
University of Pennsylvania- Penn Vet Working Dog Center