Ground Zero passes the leash to Chickasaw Nation

Sven and Roxxi, two search and rescue canines from Barry and Becky Switzer's Ground Zero Emergency Training Center, now have a new home in the Chickasaw Nation.

During a passing of the leash ceremony, the Switzers officially presented the two dogs to Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby and handler Adam Kuhlman, canine handler with the Chickasaw Nation Emergency Management division.

Coach Switzer expressed his appreciation to Gov. Anoatubby and the Chickasaw Nation for being among the first to support the vision for developing a national training center for search and rescue canines in Oklahoma.

Switzer said that the training center has now provided 14 dogs across Oklahoma and plans to expand across the United States.

"The Chickasaw Nation stepped up and helped finance it. They believed in what we were doing," said Switzer. "We want to be not only an Oklahoma team, providing dogs for Oklahoma, but we want to do it for task forces throughout the United States. We want to be a national center. I think we'll have that."

Gov. Anoatubby said that the Switzer's Ground Zero Emergency Training Center is making a positive impact in the state.

"Barry Switzer and Becky are a team. They work together. They have worked with the partners they have been able to bring in and made something really good happen here in this state," Gov. Anoatubby said. "Something that has been needed. Something that will benefit law enforcement and other emergency responders for years to come."