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Michelle Barker follows one of her two search and rescue dogs.

Barker's search dogs help find survivors

Posted by
Walter Geiger
in Your news
Wednesday, July 27. 2011
Comments (12)
When the tornados struck April 28, Michelle Barker noted she had no damage to her home. While she and her two search dogs were out helping find survivors and tracking missing pets, she had no idea she had suffered a loss of her own.

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#1 Anonymous on 07/27/11 at 04:10 PM
I'm very confused. Why was the horse in the trailer all the way up there when the tornado hit?
#2 Julia H on 07/27/11 at 07:11 PM
I want to publicly thank Michelle and her good search dogs! Not too long ago we lost an old dog. She turned 14 on July 4th of this year.

Anyhow, I called Michelle and she came out to my home with one of her wonderful dogs. That dog took us out to Country Kitchen Rd where we unfortunately lost the track. But Country Kitchen Road was exactly where old Phoebe went.

We found her after 3 days of looking, talking with everyone, and paying attention to the direction that a good dog and a couple of kind ladies showed us.

Phoebe had her 14th birthday party, and we have a fine old matriarch back at home. Thank you Michelle and friends!
#3 Concerned library patron on 07/28/11 at 09:43 AM
I'm confused: Is this a service animal or a search and rescue animal? I've been in the library several times when she's had the dog in there with a service animal vest on it. I've had to leave the area when she's on the computers because of my allergies and the smell.
#4 Anonymous on 07/28/11 at 01:59 PM
The rest of the story in the paper tells that the dog is both a service and search dog. Dual certificates.
#5 anon on 07/29/11 at 08:07 AM
Where a mask. Are you sure it's not you , your smelling. I have been around Michelle's dog and haven't noticed any unpleasant odors. I think you are just upset that she is allowed to bring the dog into the library. Maybe you are a devout cat lover. Thank God there are not service cats. Can you imagine them climbing all over the books and counters. Ugh!!
#6 Js on 07/30/11 at 11:33 PM
I know Michelle very well and her horse and trailer were kept on the same property that is how the horse was killed and trailer destroyed. Also like someone said before almost all of michelles dogs are double certified and I'm sure you would not be bothered by them if you had a loved one missing. The one pictured does not have normal dog dander(spelling) nor does he shed so he shouldn't effect your allergies!

I love michelle and her dogs I'm sure many other people do as well. We should all just be thankful for her volunteering her time and services.
#7 Anonymous on 07/31/11 at 10:05 AM
I just love the name
#8 Anonymous on 07/31/11 at 05:27 PM
I was wondering if anyone saw the irony of "Barkers Dogs"
#9 Anonymous on 08/02/11 at 02:11 PM
Read the ADA rights on service dogs. They are ALLOWED ANYWHERE that a person is allowed. This lady has disabilities, yet does search and rescue for people as well as lost dogs. Read up before running mouth. I believe the dog you refer to has a service dog vest and all the credentails. Search and rescue doogs wear search vests. I do not believe that her search and rescue dogs are out in public places, just her PERSONAL service dog. Who is better behaved than MOST children. If she were blind would you persecute her???!@!! ADA service dogs have all rights that humans do. Get over yourself!!! Hope your kids/grandkids never get lost and need her services!!!!!
#10 Michelle on 08/02/11 at 02:18 PM
Hahahha.....Barker is my REAL last name! FYI...I am a professional dog trainer, I have my own personal service dog as I am legally disabled. I also own 2 Search and rescue dogs. My dogs all have a bath once a week. I am sure they are cleaner than most!!!! Thanks to everyone on their support! Sticks and stones may break my bones......... If anyone questions my bringing my service dog out...please google ADA and service dog right and LAWS. Great day everyone!!!!!
#11 Aglenn on 08/02/11 at 09:31 PM
Michelle's therapy dogs save lives, and even make life worth living for many disabled people. Her search and rescue animals are incredible as they climb through broken glass and piles of brick to find our loved ones after a disaster. They are fearless and so is she.

Michelle has done so much for the community, but you will never get her to admit it. She helps the sick and shut-in,volunteers for many organizations, and was among the first to wade into the disaster area left by the tornado. She does all this for free by the way.

She and her dogs are tremendous assets to the community. I enjoyed reading the article very much.
#12 Justin on 08/08/11 at 09:25 PM
Michelle's a great neighbor too. If a strange car drives through the subdivision, she's quick to go outside with Quincy the big rottweiler. Lol. We loved Michelle when we lived across the street from her. Her dogs are great with kids too. Ours used to love to go over and see Michelle and her dogs.
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