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“Wilma took a vision and turned it into something that has made a difference in our country.” —Debra Tosch if* « _ w * • ,df Wtm. ■ Melville and Debra Tosch watch as a rescue canine takes on an obstacle course in Ojai, Calif. to Davems training center in C’nlrov ror six months. The dog's aa- then paired with handlers, and their training as a team lasts one year. If the students live locally, training sessions occur at the inundations headquarters in Ojai. Foundation trainers also travel to conduct chesses tor out-of-town students. In 2005, 16 teams of handlers and dogs graduated from the training program and 20 teams are expected to graduate this year Since its creation, the foundation has trained 31 of the 100 FEMA-certitied disaster search and rescue canine teams. Mike Conners. 50. a firefighter with the Coral Gables (Fla.) Rescue IDepartmcnt and his dog, Hobbes, an- one such team. List year, the duo put their training to gtxxJ use. "We went to New Orleans tor 28 davs after Hurricane Katrina, says Conners, who completed his canine rescue training in 2001). Everything wed trained for at Search Dog we ran across in New Orleans. Last June. Melville stepped down as the foundations executive director, but she con tinues to help with fund raising and acts as Search Dogs spokesperson. To me. Wilma is an amazing woman, save Debra Tosch, the organizations new executive director. "Few people would liavc had the persever ance to get through all of the obstacles she faced to get the foundation off the ground. Wilma t(x>k a vision and turned it into something that has made a difference in our country. Leah Ingram is./ writer in Sew Hope. P.i. Visit www.ndsdf.org or call (888) 459- 4376 for more information. r There's More Online! To see bonus photos & discuss this story visit AmericanProfile.com www.americanprofile.com • Consumer -r mk It you're serious about doing something tor vour dry mouth, try Oasis. L nlike water or candv, it can keep your mouth feeling moist for hours, thanks to Tri-hivdra Technolog\ developed bv the makers of Sensodvne: Moisturize* vour mouth ) Lochs in moisture "j Helps protect trorn dn ness And Oasis tastes refreshingly cool. With Oasis, vou can get serious about vour drv mouth. For more information, please visit www.oasisdrymouth.com. Page 5 Dry mouth? From the makers of Sensodvne. Oasis Mouth Moisturizing Sprai Fits into vour purse or briefcase for easy use awav from home. Dasis yMBMft v Passed j o, lsis Moisturizing Mouthwash Use it morning and evening, !ike vour regular mouthwash, to keep vour mouth moist and rresh. Oasis Mouthwash.! i drvmouttir j c js dirvt ti*d