KERRVILLE, Texas — As floodwaters from the historic Guadalupe River disaster continue to recede, a quiet force of courage and compassion is making an extraordinary difference. Heroes for Humanity, a nonprofit made up of military veterans and former first responders, has helped recover 17 missing individuals — providing closure to families living through unthinkable loss.

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Among this brave crew, one four-legged rescuer has emerged as a silent hero: a highly trained K9 cadaver dog, whose nose and loyalty are helping uncover the truth beneath the rubble and water.

“When the K9 targets a specific location, we use sonar to precisely identify where to dive,” said Brian Chrisenberry, the team’s crisis response lead.

Since arriving on July 5 — just one day after record-breaking floods swept through the Texas Hill Country — the team has tirelessly operated in treacherous terrain, deploying heavy machinery, coordinating air rescues, and conducting deep-water recovery missions.

These veteran responders are no strangers to extreme conditions. Many have rappelled down cliffs, navigated collapsed buildings, and now, they brave debris-filled waters — guided at times by the instincts of their K9 companion.

In one particularly heart-wrenching mission, the team’s diver — following the cue of the K9 — located the bodies of a mother and her child trapped beneath a submerged car, bringing painful but vital closure to their family.

“The hardest part isn’t physical,” Chrisenberry admitted. “It’s the emotional and spiritual weight. I’ve had grieving parents come up and thank me for helping them find their children. That’s almost unbearable — because they have closure, but none of them have been found alive.”

Despite the emotional toll, Heroes for Humanity remains committed to their mission. Their 30-person team continues to operate in Kerr County and has pledged to stay until every last missing person is found.

They are now calling for financial support to continue their work — from fuel and equipment to critical care for their K9 team members, who work under just as much stress and danger.

If you’d like to support these real-life heroes — both human and canine — visit the Heroes for Humanity website to donate.
Every contribution, no matter how small, could bring hope to a family waiting for answers.