Canine Search & Rescue Teams Aid Japanese Effort

US canine search and rescue teams arrived in Japan to assist in ongoing efforts to locate survivors of the devastating earthquake that struck on Friday.

According to the OCRegister.com, Gary Durian, who works for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and his dog Baxter, are part of Los Angeles Task Force 2, a 72-member emergency response team that is one of two nationwide authorized by the U.S. State Department to provide aide during international disasters. Durian and Baxter, along with additional canine rescue teams, will spend an indefinite amount of time in the ravaged territory of northern Japan where officials estimate thousands may have been killed. 

Photo credit: NATIONAL DISASTER SEARCH DOG FOUNDATION