Terrorist events of September 11 caused devastation of extraordinary scale and magnitude. There is little information in the scientific literature that speaks to the risks or medical consequences to search and rescue dogs exposed to environmental toxicities resulting from massive building collapse and incineration, and bioterror agents such as anthrax. We intend to identify and describe acute and chronic injuries, detect environmental-related toxicities, screen for zoonotic disease (anthrax), and assess future wellness and health risks of New York Police Department working patrol canines associated with the WTC disaster relief efforts. This knowledge will greatly facilitate current and future plans for emergency preparedness and management.