Dog Names Meaning Majestic

When we think of search and rescue dogs, the first things that come to mind are the horrible scenes that burned intensely into our memories after the Terrorist attacks on 9-11-2001, the Pentagon and the Twin Towers targeted for destruction.  Canines were called into duty within minutes after the attacks to aid in the location and rescue of survivors of these terrible disasters.  Dogs have been called into service after natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and hurricanes, searching for survivors, trapped beneath the rubble.

These kinds of disasters have another component in them that doesn’t so quickly come to mind - that of ministering to the traumatized victims and their families.  Our pop culture spotlight today is Xerxes, and he is a black Labrador Retriever who comforts in these situations.  Xerxes was the name of a Persian King, also known as Xerxes the Great. Xerxes the dog lives in Orono, Minnesota and he was the first Lab to be considered a community service dog in the state of Minnesota.  He is one of the comparably small numbers in the nation trained to comfort and open communication pathways with traumatized victims and family members. Xerxes the dog is also known for doing great things, just like King Xerxes was.

Initially trained as an assistance dog, they soon discovered that he was both too active and too enthusiastic for this duty.  Instead of giving up on such a talent, he was, instead, guided toward the Orono Police Department for task relating to their community services.  The Orono Police Department responds to 200 to 300 calls yearly that relate to mental health issues.  The young Xerxes was trained by the New Hope-based Can Do Canines organization to channel his strength and energy toward working in response to mental-health calls by the police department.  He was prepared to respond to the word “visit” by place his head into the lap of the individual of interest, and to cuddle with a child when prompted with the word “snuggle.” 

Xerxes is the product of human and law enforcement’s acknowledgment to a segment of our population.  Whether resulting from a natural disaster, terrorist attack or mental health issue stemming from a variety of causes, this is a need long ignored as requiring “rescue” as is the case with any of these retrieved from beneath the rubble of rocks, snow, water, trees, and buildings.  What a marvelous tribute to those incredibly intelligent and resourceful canine companions that we love so much!