FVVFD SaR K9 Merle Haggard

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FVVFD SaR K9 Merle Haggard

Merle is the first Search and Rescue K9 in Shenandoah County specifically through the Fort Valley Vo

08/09/2026

🎉🐾 11?! Who said I’m 11?! 🐾🎉

Apparently Mom keeps insisting it was my birthday on the 6th… and she claims I’m 11 years old.

Well, someone should probably tell my body, because I’m still fit as a fiddle and showing absolutely ZERO signs of slowing down! 💪🐶

I’m still dragging Mom through the woods on searches, finding missing people, supervising Peat’s “training” (you’re welcome, little brother), and happily accepting every snack that’s offered in appreciation for my hard work.

Age is just a number. My nose still works, my drive is still there, and if you grab my harness, I’m already at the truck ready to go.

Now… enough about my age. Let’s focus on the important things—birthday treats, pup cups, and cake. 🎂🎁🐾

— Merle (11 years young and still search-ready!)

07/24/2026

🐾 From K9 Merle & K9 Peat 🐾

Well… Mom (Firefighter Cubbage) disappeared on us again this week. Don’t worry—we checked all her favorite places. Turns out she wasn’t lost… she was back at another school. 🙄

This time she graduated from the USAF Inland Search & Rescue School! We made sure she studied hard because somebody has to keep earning our treat and toy budget. She may not have been wearing her fire department uniform this week, but that Air Force uniform is the one that keeps the snack jar full, so we suppose we’ll allow it. 🦴😂

In all seriousness, we’re proud of her.

The Inland Search and Rescue course focuses on planning, coordinating, and conducting search and rescue operations in challenging environments. It builds skills in search management, mission planning, survival, navigation, rescue coordination, and working with multiple agencies during real-world emergencies.

For all our teams we are apart of that’s a pretty big deal. Every new class Mom completes gives her more tools to bring back to the people and communities we serve. It makes her a stronger search manager, a better teammate, and an even better handler for us when the call comes in.

The learning never really stops in search and rescue—and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Now that she’s home, we’ll put all those new skills to work… right after she pays us the overdue treat tax for leaving us all week. 🐶🐶❤️

Congratulations, Mom! We’re proud of you.

07/04/2026

🇺🇸🐾 Happy 4th of July from K9 Merle & K9 Peat! 🐾🇺🇸

Happy Birthday, America! 🇺🇸 Today we’re celebrating 250 years of this amazing country and hope everyone has a fun, safe day with family and friends.

As much as we love seeing everyone out enjoying the holiday, we’d really like to have an eventless evening at home instead of going to work. 😅

So if you’re celebrating today:
• Be smart with fireworks.
• Watch where those sparks land—it’s dry out there.
• Never drink and drive.
• Keep an eye on your friends and neighbors.
• If something doesn’t seem right, don’t hesitate to call 911.

A little common sense goes a long way and helps keep firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and volunteers from spending the holiday responding to emergencies that could have been prevented.

From our pack to yours, have a safe, fun Independence Day, and here’s to celebrating 250 years of America! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

K9 Merle & K9 Peat

06/28/2026

🐾 From K9s Merle & Peat 🐾

Home in the Fort for only a few hours today? That’s okay… when the pager goes off, we’re always ready! 🐶🚒

Today we had the opportunity to respond with our handler, Firefighter Cubbage, to assist on a report of a possible outside fire. Thankfully, after a quick check, everything was found to be safe and there was nothing to report.

Some might think an “uneventful” call isn’t exciting, but to us, those are often the best kind. It means our neighbors are safe, property is protected, and everyone gets to go about their day.

We’re always grateful for the chance to serve the community we still proudly call home. Whether it’s a major emergency, a search and rescue mission, or simply helping confirm that everything is okay, we’re honored to answer the call whenever we’re needed.

Now that the all-clear has been given, we think we’ve earned a few extra treats and a well-deserved nap. 🐾💤

Stay safe, everyone!

❤️🐾
K9 Merle & K9 Peat

05/04/2026

Today, on International Firefighters’ Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who run toward danger when others are told to run away.

From our paws to your boots — thank you.

We see the long hours, the early mornings, the late nights, and the sacrifices made not just on the fireground, but at home. We see the strength it takes to carry the weight of the job and still show up, call after call, without hesitation.

As K9 partners in search and rescue, we are proud to stand beside you — in the smoke, in the mud, in the uncertainty — trusting your lead, your courage, and your commitment to bringing others home.

Today, we celebrate you.
Your bravery.
Your dedication.
Your unwavering service.

Stay safe out there, and know you are always appreciated — by your teams, your communities, and even those of us working on four legs.

With loyalty and respect,
K9 Merle & K9 Peat 🐾🚒

04/26/2026

Today we celebrate two incredible partners, teammates, and heroes—K9 Merle and K9 Peat—on International Search and Rescue Dog Day.

These dogs represent far more than training and certifications. They embody relentless drive, unwavering loyalty, and the kind of courage that shows up when it matters most. Through long days, difficult terrain, and the uncertainty that comes with every mission, Merle and Peat work with a single purpose: to find, to help, and to serve.

They don’t ask for recognition. They don’t hesitate in the face of challenge. They trust their handler, follow their training, and give everything they have—every single time.

Behind every successful search is a bond built on countless hours of dedication, sacrifice, and teamwork. K9 Merle and K9 Peat are a testament to that bond—and to the life-saving impact these teams make in their communities.

Today, we honor their work, their spirit, and the quiet heroism they bring to every callout.

Happy International Search and Rescue Dog Day to two of the very best. 🐾

To all SAR K9s… Today is your day!

We do this
“So Others May Live”

04/17/2026

Even while home on leave, Firefighter Cubbage continues to push forward—making time for advanced training and professional development.

Most recently, she completed Tactical Canine Casualty Care, instructed by Dr. Janice Baker and the Veterinary Tactical Group (VTG). This course goes far beyond classroom learning, diving deep into the real-world medical challenges faced by working K9 teams in the field. Training included hours of intensive hands-on practical application, focusing on critical lifesaving interventions for canines in high-risk environments.

From hemorrhage control and airway management to treating trauma injuries under stress, the course emphasized not only technical skills but also the ability to perform under pressure. Scenario-based exercises challenged handlers to think critically, operate in dynamic environments, and provide immediate care to their K9 partners when every second counts. Hands-on dog skills ensured that techniques were not only understood—but executed with confidence and precision.

This level of training directly strengthens the capabilities of K9 Merle and K9 Peat in their search and rescue missions. Whether operating in wilderness environments or disaster scenarios, having advanced medical knowledge ensures these teams are better prepared to protect, preserve, and prolong the lives of their canine partners while continuing the mission.

Because at the end of the day, it’s always about more than training—it’s about readiness, resilience, and commitment.

We do this…
“So Others May Live”

Special thanks to Veterinary Tactical Group, the Virginia Search and Rescue Conference, and Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association (team away from home) for their continued support and dedication to advancing K9 search and rescue teams.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter🐣🐇

Address

7088 Fort Valley Road
Fort Valley, VA
22652

Telephone

+15409336500

Website

http://www.fortvalleyfiredepartment.com/

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