On September 11, 2001, Robert Schnelle was the first member of the New York Police Department's K-9 Unit at the World Trade Center after the first plane struck the North Tower. Seventeen minutes later, the second plane hit the South Tower. Schnelle and his rescue dog, Atlas, sought shelter as the South Tower collapsed less than an hour later.

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For the next eight months, Schnelle and Atlas worked 12-hour shifts at ground zero, participating in search-and-rescue efforts after the deadliest terror attack in U.S. history. "We did that straight through until May 30, 2002, when they announced the recovery was over and the site closed," Schnelle recalled. This announcement marked a traumatic moment for many involved, as they had dedicated such a long time to the recovery.

According to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, over 300 dogs aided in the search, rescue, and recovery operations at ground zero, and they are referred to as the "four-legged 9/11 heroes." Dr. Cynthia Otto, a veterinarian from Pennsylvania, noted that the dogs, initially trained to find live humans, soon began recognizing human remains and adjusted their responses accordingly.

The dogs played a crucial role in locating human remains, venturing into spaces inaccessible to humans. Otto, who became an executive director at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center, observed that while the dogs were not trained as therapy animals, they provided comfort to the rescue workers. She highlighted a moment with a dog named Logan, where firefighters taking a break visibly brightened upon interacting with her, showcasing the emotional support the dogs offered during the harrowing recovery efforts.

Over the last two decades, Otto has conducted research on the health of search-and-rescue dogs, discovering that those involved in the 9/11 efforts had minimal health risks and often lived longer than the average lifespan of their breeds. The last known surviving search dog from 9/11 passed away in 2016.

Otto explained that the dogs maintained good health due to their active roles and strong relationships with their handlers. Additionally, research indicates that first responders who worked alongside search-and-rescue dogs were less likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

For Schnelle, whose dog Atlas died in 2008, the legacy of the 9/11 search-and-rescue dogs remains invaluable. "He just did it... he never shut down, he just did his job," Schnelle expressed.