Meet Orca

2025 Australia Top Dog with a Job finalist

Meet Orca

2025 Australia Top Dog with a Job finalist

Orca

Breed:Dalmatian

Barking from:SA

Job title:Search and Rescue K9

What's up dog?

Orca is a Urban Search and Rescue K9. This means that in the event of a disaster (earthquake, building collapse, flood, explosion etc) it is Orcas job to find the people buried, injured, lost and hurt and tell his handler (myself) where they are located.
Orcas works hard to perfect his skills. These include Agility (navigating rough, uneven, dangerous terrain safely as well as climbing stairs and ladders, and being propelled from buildings with handler), taking direction from handler at distances and heights, utilising his amazing dog nose to differentiate scents and find living victims, effectively stay on task and alert the handler (this is done through barking. Orca will bark until the handler reaches him).
This job is an important one for every single person in the community. You never know when there will be a rock slide, earthquake, explosion etc. If you get caught in this, Orca is trained to find and save you. Having trained Search and Rescue dogs in the community also means help can arrive fast. In an emergency situation, every second counts. That is why we use dogs l to find victims and be more efficient in finding and saving people.

2025 OZ Top Dog with a Job

Purpose

This award recognises a working dog that goes above and beyond to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Whether supporting people or fellow animals, this dog’s daily efforts help improve wellbeing, provide support, or create meaningful change in their community.


Reach

Does your dog make a difference in the life of one individual, or do they support an entire group, workplace, or community? Tell us who they help and how far their support reaches.


Impact

What kind of impact does your dog have in their role? Share how they’ve enhanced wellbeing, supported mental health, or improved the lives of those around them