Taffy was born on April 8, 2000 in Thetford Mines, Quebec Canada. Twelve weeks later she was flown to Orange County, California to meet her new partner, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Reserve Doug Williams. Taffy would soon join the highly regarded Orange County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Unit, which is made up entirely of Reserve Deputies. After a distinguished ten year career, Taffy was the first bloodhound to retire from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Unit on June 30, 2010.
During Taffy’s 10 year career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Unit, she had 13 confirmed walk-up finds, plus numerous other trails where she gave valuable information that led to the suspects and their arrest. Taffy worked over 125 documented cases with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Unit. She searched for over 50 lost persons, worked 12 homicides, 13 armed robberies, one kidnapping and four rapes. She also worked numerous arsons, burglaries, stolen vehicles and other felonies. Taffy’s handler testified in two homicide trials, based on Taffy’s work, resulting in the conviction of both suspects.
Taffy and Doug received numerous awards in their 10 years of service together. They received the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Gold Star Award, California Gold Star Award, Larry Peabody Search and Rescue Award. The Meritorious Service Award from the American Bloodhound Club, Achievement of Canine Excellence was also received. Taffy was chosen as the American Kennel Club 2008 Search and Rescue Dog of the Year. Taffy was also a great ambassador for the department in her tenure, doing about 100 Officer Friendly events and other public relation events. Taffy enjoyed the public and especially children.
Even after retirement, Taffy continued to live with Doug and his wife Debbie until her unfortunate passing on January 13, 2012. 