Titan, the Hero Rescue Dog Who Saved Lives in Earthquakes, Now Battles Cancer

A Lifelong Partnership in Service

For firefighter sergeant Sergio Pérez Sánchez, his career has always been intertwined with Titan, the dog he adopted as a three-month-old pup in 2012. Coming from a military background, Titan was bred for work—and he found his true calling in rescue.

Together, the duo built a specialized canine search unit in Alicante. What started as Sergio’s passion grew into a professional team of 12 trained dogs, ready to be deployed in emergencies across Spain and abroad.

Titan’s Remarkable Rescue Career

Titan was trained in “air scenting”—detecting the generic smell of human life. Equipped with a GPS collar to track his movements, Titan could cover three to four times the ground his handler did on foot. When he located someone alive, he would bark, waiting for his favorite reward: a piece of leather to bite.

Over the years, Titan participated in nearly 100 search-and-rescue missions, from mountain searches to collapsed buildings. His reputation crossed borders, with international deployments in earthquakes and floods, including operations in Libya.

The most unforgettable moment came during the Turkey earthquake in February 2023. Six days after the disaster, Titan alerted Sergio to faint signs under rubble—leading to the miraculous rescue of two survivors. “It marked me forever,” Sergio recalled.

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A New Battle: Cancer

In January 2025, Titan was officially retired after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer in his hind leg. Without hesitation, Sergio decided to fight for his partner’s life. “We amputated his leg and he went through chemotherapy,” he explained.

Now, despite his disability, Titan has adapted well and remains active. He swims in the sea to stay strong, sparing his body the impact of walking. Sergio even creates small search games to keep Titan’s spirit alive.

More Than a Tool—A True Companion

Sergio insists Titan is not just a service dog, but a member of the family. “He’s not a tool, he’s a companion,” he says. From five eye surgeries in his younger years to the dangers of collapsed buildings, Titan has always been treated with utmost care.

While the sergeant had planned to begin training a successor, Titan’s illness shifted all his attention. For now, the firefighter remains fully devoted to his partner’s health and happiness.

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A Legacy of Courage and Loyalty

Titan’s story is more than that of a rescue dog—it is a story of loyalty, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between a man and his best friend. From saving lives under the rubble to fighting cancer with the same courage, Titan continues to inspire both his community and the world.