Let me tell you a story that might just change the way you see loyalty, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between a man and his dog.
Meet Topa—a black-and-white Border Collie mix with a nose for danger and a heart of gold. But before she became a certified disaster search dog, Topa’s life was hanging by a thread.
As a puppy, Topa was found locked inside a sweltering car in South Dakota. Another puppy in the car didn’t make it. Topa survived. Barely. She was rescued, her owner arrested, and she ended up at the Western Hills Humane Society in Spearfish.
Now, most people would pass by a hyperactive pup like Topa. Too much energy. Too wild. Not exactly the cuddly pet you’d bring home. But someone saw something else—a spark.
Enter the South Dakota Canine Center. They noticed her drive, her obsession with toys, her relentless energy. Traits that made her a nightmare for most families made her perfect for search and rescue.
Fast forward to 2018. Rudy Valencia, a firefighter and paramedic in Berkeley, California, was training to become a canine handler. The trainers told him, “Hide. The dog that finds you will be your partner.”
Guess who found him? Topa. She barked, he emerged, and their partnership was sealed.
Since then, they’ve been inseparable. Topa isn’t just a dog; she’s Rudy’s life companion. Together, they’ve trained tirelessly, preparing for the worst disasters—collapsed buildings, landslides, you name it.
In 2019, Topa officially joined the Berkeley Fire Department, complete with her own firefighter badge. She’s not just a pet; she’s a vital member of the team, ready to save lives at a moment’s notice.
Their first deployment came during Hurricane Ida in 2021. While they didn’t have to perform an active search, the experience was invaluable. It was a real-world test of their readiness, and they passed with flying colors.
Today, Topa continues to train, always alert, always ready. She’s a testament to what can happen when someone sees potential where others see problems.
So, what’s the takeaway here?
Sometimes, the most overlooked, misunderstood individuals—be it a dog or a person—have the greatest potential. All they need is someone to believe in them.
Topa found her purpose. Rudy found a partner. Together, they’re saving lives.