Animal Jobs Series: Rescue Dogs

Dogs have a long history of serving their human family faithfully as companion and guard dogs, but their less-known role as rescuers dates nearly as far back. Today, rescue dogs save humans trapped in perilous conditions due to earthquakes, avalanches, other natural disasters or manmade destruction. The National Search and Rescue Dog Association in the UK identifies the dogs known today as Saint Bernards as the "forerunners of modern search dogs." Introduced in the 17th Century at a monastery and inn located at the summit of the Great St. Bernard Pass through the Western Alps, the dogs accompanied monks as companions and guides (due to their keen sense of direction) when searching for lost persons or avalanche victims in bad weather. The dogs gradually developed a proclivity to search for and aid in the recovery of lost persons, sometimes, according to legends, even with significant snow coverage over the victims. As far back as the First World War, dogs were trained by the Red Cross to locate injured soldiers on the battlefield during breaks in the fighting. They were trained using human body scents that may be picked up in the air. A dog's sense of smell is over a thousand times more sensitive than humans', so dogs can pick up scents people never would. By following a scent that is carried in the air, dogs are able to efficiently search very large areas. Though a very low-tech approach, rescuers around the world still rely on dogs and their wonderful ability to sniff (and listen), and to harness those heightened senses into a life-saving tool. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operates a coordinated effort across the country of Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) task forces who support state and local emergency responders' efforts to locate victims and manage recovery operations. Each task force consists of two 31-person teams, four canines, and their necessary equipment. Search and Rescue dogs represent a variety of breeds, the most common of which are German Shepherd Dogs, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. Approximately 85% of FEMA's US&R handlers are volunteers, and their canines are their family pet. Though their presence at an emergency scene arouses awe and gratitude, it is how these teams train when they are off duty that is truly impressive. According to FEMA, "preparing a team for its first mission takes twice-a-week practices for a solid year. Handlers must learn land navigation, map and compass, wilderness survival and other skills. They practice rigorously throughout their lives to keep those skills sharp." For the handlers, it's a major commitment. For the dogs, it's a fantastic game of hide-and-seek, and they are trained to embrace a "find" (when a victim is located) as a major reward in and of itself. Since the reward for the dog's tireless effort is a "find" and because the dogs are so intent on achieving a "find" in this game, sometimes, if searchers have gone an extended period without actual success, to keep moral high, they have a fellow team member hide and then send the dog out to search so that it can have that success. In the end, life and death sometimes comes down to a dog's miraculous ability to learn, love and play. Learn more about Rescue Dogs:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search and Rescue (US&R)
• National Search and Rescue Dog Association, UK
• American Kennel Club Search and Rescue