Dogs which are smart and brave are big part of search and rescue unit. Their heroic acts were recognized in museums, paintings, monuments, statues, memorials, and awards. Here are their heroic stories and names.

The good rescue dog with names and breed are Apollo (German Shepherd), Balto (Husky), Barry (Saint Bernard), Dakota (Pitbull), Dusty (Airedale Terrier), Gandalf (Shiloh Shepherd), Swansea Jack (Newfoundland), Togo (Siberian Husky), and Velvet (Labrador Retriever).

Apollo served on a K-9 search and rescue mission unit. The New York Police Department deploys the K-9 unit for search and rescue mission on September 11 attacks. The twin towers of World Trade Center collapsed after the airplanes crashed to the twin towers. Due to the heroism of Apollo, he earned the Dickin Medal. Apollo is a Greek dog name which means destroyer.

Balto is the lead dog of the final leg which relayed Diphtheria Antitoxin to the city of Nome in 1925. The city of Nome needed the serum to save the city from an epidemic. In just five and half days (674 miles), the dogs delivered the much needed serum. Balto is an English dog name which means God protects the King.

Barry rescued a total of forty lives from 1800 to 1814. Barry lived in monastery near the Italian and Swish border. The most famous rescue was the boy on an icy ledge. On one snowy day, a boy was stranded on an icy ledge. It was impossible for anybody to get to the icy ledge. Barry braves the danger to rescue the boy. Barry slowly crawled to the icy ledge. With the warm licks of Barry, the boy awakened. Then, Barry pulled the boy to safety. Barry is spear or marksman in Irish origin, and gate or fence in French origin.

Dakota worked on over one hundred search and rescue mission. He is such an outstanding at search and rescue. He was sent for search and rescue mission on Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. The shuttle exploded in mid air above Texas. All the seven crew of shuttle lost their lives. Dakota is a Native American dog name which means friend or ally.

Dusty led the rescuers to a woman who fell off a cliff in a car. Unfortunately, she drove herself off the cliff of Oregon on October 22, 2007. Dusty is a variation of English name called Dustin. It means brave warrior.

Gandalf led rescuers to a boy scout named Michael Auberry. He got lost in March of 2007. Gandalf is another English dog name which means wand elf.

Swansea Jack literally lived in Swansea, Wales. To be exact, Jack lived on a dock near River Tawe. As a Newfoundland breed, Jack is naturally strong and huge. And, the breed likes to rescue someone who gets difficulty in water. So, Jack was known to rescue someone out of water. With numerous rescues, Jack earned numerous awards. Jack is a Hebrew dog name which means God is gracious.

Togo worked with Balto to deliver Diphtheria Antitoxin to the city of Nome in 1925. However, Togo is the lead dog on the longest track. Togo is derived from an African country name.

Velvet ascended with eight mountain climbers at Mount Hood. Sadly, a big storm toppled off three climbers and Velvet. They had fallen 8,300 feet off the ledge. In the meantime, the other five climbers were able to call for help. However, the rescue team were forced to call off the mission as the storm worsens. Meanwhile, Velvet warms up the climbers from one climber to another climber thru out the night. Finally, the search and rescue team were able to get them as the storm eases. Velvet is a dog name that pertains to the shine and texture of short hair fur.

Using the natural animal instincts, the dogs rescue and save human lives. To humans, the search and rescue is all work and business. To dogs, the search and rescue is all play. They brave the danger to save countless lives.