Heroic Rescue Dog Joey Helps Find 3 Survivors in the Rubble After Venezuela Quake

Heroic rescue dog Joey helps locate three survivors in the rubble after a quake in Venezuela. If you’re a dog mom, you already know a Labrador can fill a house with love, loose fur, and tennis balls. Two-year-old Joey is no exception. He loves playing at the park and snuggling with his family. But when someone needs help, this good boy knows it’s time to get to work.

Rescue Dog Joey Trains to Find People in Disaster Zones

RELATED: Firefighter Saves Puppies From a Fire, Brings One Home — Then Adopts His Brother Too

Joey serves with the Los Angeles County Fire Department alongside his handler and dad, Louis. The two trained for more than five months before becoming certified in September 2025. Then, in June, a deadly earthquake struck Venezuela, and they were called to search for survivors.

“When we get those live alerts, it’s not only good as a canine team, but it’s also for our department and our nation,” Louis said. 

Joey Is Deployed After a Deadly Venezuela Earthquake

They arrived three days after the quake. By then, families were waiting for word about the people they loved. Rescuers were searching through rubble, hoping to find someone alive beneath it. Joey put his nose to work, and he found three people.

I can’t stop thinking about the families on the other side of those rescues. Somewhere, someone was praying for a familiar voice, one more embrace, one more chance to say, You’re here. Joey’s work helped bring that possibility closer. If ever a dog deserved an extra treat, it’s him. 

Months of Training Prepared Joey for the Rescue Mission

Louis said their long months of training had prepared them for a moment like this. “It feels good to be able to put all that work, all that training and be able to deploy and make a difference,” he said.

Joey’s heart for the job follows him home. At the fire station, he brings comfort to first responders who have spent their days caring for others. Off duty, he’s happy to chase his ball and curl up with his family. That’s a lot of love to carry on four paws.

Now, Joey is a semifinalist in the law enforcement and first responder category of the American Humane Hero Dog Awards. His family and fellow firefighters have every reason to be proud. 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Determined Dog Tracked a Scent for Over 2 Miles in the Freezing Cold, and It Saved a Missing Child

Back at the fire station, Joey looks after the people who spend their days looking after everyone else. “He’s here for us. He helps us,” one firefighter said. And when Joey’s shift is over, this hero is ready for the things he loves most: chasing his ball and curling up with his family.

“I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak.”  Ezekiel 34:16

WATCH: Heroic Rescue Dog Joey Helps Find 3 Survivors in the Rubble After Venezuela Quake 

LISTEN: A School in Pennsylvania Buried a Time Capsule in 1976, They’ve Finally Opened It 50 Years Later | A Woman Battling Incurable Cancer Set Her Sights on Everest, and Made It to the Top

h/t: ABC 7 News

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/ABC7

Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.