Working Like Dogs

Get ready for an incredible episode of Working Like Dogs! I’m joined by Sharon Gattas and Peter Sellas, two extraordinary handlers who know firsthand the life-saving power of canines in times of crisis. Fresh from their recent deployment to the Texas flood recovery, they’ll be sharing what it’s really like to work side by side with their remarkable Belgian Malinois partners, Riley and Harley. These highly trained dogs aren’t just companions —they’re dedicated rescuers, using their skills to bring hope and relief when disaster strikes. From the bond that fuels their teamwork to the grit it takes to face floodwaters together; Sharon and Peter’s stories will give you a front-row seat to the heart and heroism of canine recovery work.

Listen to Episode #203 Now:

BIO:

Peter Sellas is the canine coordinator for the CA-TF6 Urban Search and Rescue team. Managing and running the canine program. He is also a Canine Search Specialist with FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) California Task Force 6 in Riverside. Peter holds the appointed position of west coast representative to the FEMA search advisory group. Peter is a national canine instructor and national canine evaluator.

Peter has deployed with his canines as a member of the National USAR Response System to major national disasters in multiple assignments including the Oso Washington mudslide, Hurricanes Ernesto, Dean, Ike, and Maria and most recently Hurricanes Milton and Helene as well as the Los Angeles Eaton and Palisades fires. Most recently Peter was deployed to the Texas floods.

Sharon Gattas began her career in the field of radiology in 1988, when she graduated from the Radiation Therapy Program at Loma Linda University. She worked as a therapist for some time, and then decided to come back for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, graduating in 1999. In 2020, Sharon became the Director of Imaging Services and Satellite Operations at San Antonio Regional Hospital in Upland, CA. She has been a strong supporter of the ultrasound students and was instrumental in getting rotations reestablished after the facility took a break from training sonographers for the last 20 years. When staff needed encouragement or assistance instructing students, or whenever there was an issue, Sharon responded right away and worked toward solutions, always with a positive attitude. During the sonography program, Sharon was part of a team that flew to New Orleans during the Katrina disaster, and has continued to help with rescue efforts whenever possible. She’s been involved with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) ever since. Her deployments include: Oklahoma City Bombing - Murrah Building, 9/11 - Twin Towers collapse, multiple hurricane deployments, Montecito mudslides, and fire recoveries, including the town of Paradise. Sharon also works with a FEMA-certified rescue dog on a local, urban search-and-rescue team. Sharon has been married to her husband, Bob, for 30 years. Our students comment that Sharon is most helpful and caring about their opportunities and success when they interact with her. We are so proud of Sharon and her amazing accomplishments and contributions to the field of sonography.