Meet Ridley: The Samoyed Behind SAR DOG

Our Family Dog, Our Mascot, and Part of the SAR DOG Story

If you've spent any time exploring SAR DOG apparel, you've probably noticed a familiar furry face in our logo and Rescue Ridley collection.

That's Ridley. She's our five-year-old female Samoyed, a much-loved member of our family, and the real dog behind the SAR DOG mascot.

I'm John, a retired U.S. Coast Guard aviator. My wife and business partner, Melissa, is an Air Force veteran. Together, we built SAR DOG Industries around things that have shaped our lives: Coast Guard aviation, search and rescue, fishing, boating, and the Florida lifestyle.

And naturally, our love of dogs.

A Little About Ridley

Ridley is a female Samoyed who is five years old in 2026.

Her name comes from the Kemp's ridley sea turtle, a connection to the marine environment that has been such an important part of our lives.

Ridley absolutely loves people. She has a tremendous sense of work and focus, two qualities I especially appreciate after spending much of my professional life around working crews and demanding missions.

She's a dog with personality, enthusiasm, and an ability to concentrate on whatever has her attention.

Her favorite game is search, retrieve and return. She loves people and is always looking to meet new ones.

Is Ridley a Search-and-Rescue Dog?

No. And that's an important distinction.

Ridley is our family dog and brand mascot, not a trained or operational search-and-rescue K9.

Having served in the Coast Guard, I have great respect for the working dogs and handlers who dedicate countless hours to search-and-rescue training and operations.

Ridley's strong work ethic and focus are qualities we admire, but we don't represent her as a working rescue dog.

Her contribution to SAR DOG is different. She brings some personality and a personal connection to a brand built around the rescue community.

Why Ridley Became Our Mascot

When Melissa and I developed SAR DOG, we wanted the brand to reflect more than aircraft and rescue missions.

We wanted it to reflect who we are, what we enjoy, and the things that matter to our family.

She became our mascot because she learned to love the water and boating.

Today, Ridley is the inspiration behind our logo and our Rescue Ridley apparel collection.

She's also a reminder that while SAR DOG takes the rescue community and its heritage seriously, there's room for a little fun and personality.

Our apparel includes Coast Guard aviation, search-and-rescue, Florida fishing, and Nature Coast-inspired designs.

And when someone asks about the dog behind the name, we're happy to introduce Ridley.

She's not a rescue swimmer or a search-and-rescue K9.

She's our Samoyed, our family dog, and an important part of the SAR DOG story.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ridley

Is Ridley a real search-and-rescue dog? No. Ridley is our family dog and SAR DOG mascot. She has a strong work ethic and focus, but she's not a trained search-and-rescue K9.

What breed is Ridley? Ridley is a female Samoyed. She's five years old in 2026 and loves being around people.

How did Ridley get her name? Ridley's name was inspired by the Kemp's ridley sea turtle, reflecting our connection to the water and marine life.

Why is the company called SAR DOG? SAR stands for Search and Rescue, reflecting our Coast Guard and aviation background. Ridley provides the personal connection behind the dog in our branding.

Meet the designs inspired by Ridley: Rescue Ridley collection

SAR DOG Industries is an SBA-certified veteran-owned apparel business based in Hernando Beach, Florida. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Coast Guard.