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There are few times when
one is happier to see a dog than when the dogs is there
to help. in the case of search and rescue dogs, their
skill in detecting via scent are used in the most dire of
circumstances. When a small child or an adult with
Alzheimer's Disease is missing, when a structural
collapse means people are buried or injured in the
rubble, the last and best hope may be a search and
rescue dog. These are not just any dogs, but dogs that
are bred and trained to discern the scent of a human
being among dozens of other scents. Dogs with the
ability to shut out all distractions and search for a
human being whose window for survival may be rapidly
slipping away.
You don't find dogs with
these special skills just anywhere. They are expensive
to buy, costing between $1,500.00 and $6,500.00, in most
cases and more in others. The training for these dogs
carries a high cost as well, averaging as much as
$10,000.00 or more. With very few exceptions, most
search dogs are owned and trained by private citizens,
volunteers, who must pay out of pocket, for years of
training before the dog is able to begin their first
search and rescue or recovery attempt. When dozens of
search and rescue dogs arrive at the scene of a
disaster, they each have approximately 3 years invested
in training them before they start their first minute of
searching.
Just because a dog is a
Labrador Retriever or a German Shepherd Dog, does not
immediately qualify it as a potential search dog
candidate. Search dogs are required to have a good
temperament, solid nerves, and a strong desire to work,
focus, be social to animals and humans alike, and have
no medical problems such as hip or elbow dysplasia. Even
if a dog meets all of the above requirements, that still
does not guarantee its suitability as a search dog. The
dog still must learn obedience, directional control,
ladder climbing, etc. These skills take countless hours
to learn, and maintain, before a dog becomes certified
and operational.
The human counterpart must
be just as able to perform the necessary tasks. Physical
and mental fitness are a must. There are hours of
classes directed at learning how to cope with structural
collapse, hazardous material, and working in confined
spaces, just to name a few.
These wonderful
volunteers, leave their families, their jobs, their
lives, at all hours of the day and night, to assist you
and your families, in your greatest time of need. They
put their lives on the line, during natural disasters,
terrorist attacks, or any other time there is a need.
After returning from the
World Trade Center attacks of 9/11, my beloved K9
partner Anna became ill and was unable to continue her
work as a search and rescue dog. Through the generosity
of the community, over 700 elementary school children,
their parents, and other caring citizens of the United
States, much needed funds were raised to obtain my
current K-9 partner Tango. It is with great appreciation
of this selfless act in mind, that I founded the Search
and Rescue Dog Foundation, Inc. This non-profit was
established to assist volunteer K-9 handlers with grant
money to replace retiring, ill, or deceased search dogs.
Please consider helping
these heroic K-9's and their handlers. Your generosity
is greatly appreciated.
SAR Dog Foundation,
Inc.
http://www.sardogfoundation.org
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