Hero Dogs: We Salute You
September 8, 2010 by admin
Filed under candid canine, featured
Although the exact date of the origin is disputed, there is no question that the 10,000+ years of the human/dog relationship has been of significant benefit to human beings. Over the years, dogs have made their way into our lives as fearless hunters, skillful herders, best friends, and helpful heroes. Our focus is on the latter, selfless hero dogs that bravely protect and rescue human beings on a daily basis.
Boldly going where we can’t. One of the key ingredients in the make-up of a hero dog is the ability to chart dangerous terrain and squeeze into tiny and cavernous places. Dogs have the right blend of lithe, stealth, and agility that enables them to accomplish extraordinary athletic feats. The hero dog also has the cognitive focus and discipline required to stay calm in a precarious situation. Search and rescue dogs accomplish amazing tasks and are a true asset when disaster strikes and tests the limits of what people can do.
The evolution of the search and rescue dog. Let’s imagine the first dog rescue took place thousands of years ago. Perhaps a lonely and tired shepherd slipped on a rocky slope and was injured and trapped at the bottom of a steep ravine. Night fell in the village, and only the dog returned home, antsy and barking. The villagers sensed, through the dog’s distressed state, something was wrong and followed the dog into the night. The loyal and clever animal led the people to his master, and the shepherd was pulled from the ravine, alive and very grateful.
This is pure speculation, but it was certainly instances like this that inspired us to begin breeding and training dogs to fulfill this valuable search and rescue role—a role that comes quite naturally to them. In modern times, search and rescue dog training involves a specialized focus on specific types of rescues:
- Wilderness
- Disaster
- Cadaver (Human Remains Detection)
- Avalanche
- Drowning
Search and rescue dogs are a vital part of nearly all emergency response teams and having specific training and field experience is one of their biggest on-the-job assets.
What’s in a nose? The constantly twitching and cold-to-the-touch nose of a dog is a very busy and very powerful organ. Beyond its remarkable capabilities to alert a dog, mid-slumber, that there is a sandwich nearby, a dog’s nose can detect and discern among hundreds of scents in its environment. In fact, most of a dog’s brain function is devoted to smelling, and dogs have olfactory bulbs as large as four times the size of humans. Equipped with super-sniffers like that, it’s no wonder search and rescue dogs can hone in on accident victims trapped underneath feet of rubble and debris.
Scent-training begins in puppyhood and typically involves a kind of game-like training where puppies are taught basic retrieving skills that evolve into scent-tracking skills. The most common dog breeds trained for air-scenting and tracking are German and Belgian Shepherds, Border Collies, and Golden or Labrador Retrievers. For these dog breeds, it’s the size and shape of their nose that makes them a natural choice—longer and larger dog noses are generally more discerning and powerful.
Remembering the search and rescue dogs of 9/11. Every September now marks the somber memorial of the tragic events of the 9/11 attacks. It is a sad time, as we mourn the loss of our family, friends, and fellow Americans who were the victims of the national assault and the brave protectors who were called to support the rescue efforts. Their sacrifice, bravery, and heroism does not go unforgotten or unappreciated.
This year, as we honor the memory of bravery and selflessness that constitutes heroism, don’t forget the extraordinary accomplishments made by the 9/11 search and rescue dogs. These dogs also bravely answered their call to duty and tirelessly canvassed the rubble and wreckage in search of survivors. Over 300 hundred search and rescue dogs were called in to assist the rescue efforts, and amazingly, none of the dogs perished in the line of duty. These dogs worked hard to save lives and brought to the rescue team a much needed sense of inspiration and camaraderie in what will always be considered one of our nation’s darkest hours.
Everyday dog heroes. Some dog heroes spend their day-to-day life pursuing the hero’s quest. Better known as service dogs, these dogs fulfill a valuable role in our society assisting those of us who need it most: the blind, the deaf, the developmentally challenged, and the elderly. Service dogs protect and serve their owners by keeping them safe and making daily life challenges a little easier to manage.
Service dogs for the blind are the most common and almost everyone has seen one of these guys on the job. They are trained to lead their owner around safely by avoiding obstacles and are keenly aware of traffic signals and safety protocol. Please remember that service dogs really are working dogs. When you see them out with their owner, they are on the job. Refrain from petting these gentle friends because those kinds of distractions can be a danger to their owner.
Celebrating the hero dog in your life. Not every dog needs to save a small child from a burning building to be considered a hero. For most of us, it’s the everyday feats of love and loyalty that make the biggest impact in our lives: enthusiastic welcome-home greetings with vigorous tail-wagging, cold-nose nudges that remind us of our four-season commitment to after-dinner walks, and an uncanny cuddle-response to our bad-day stress and anxiety. These are the kinds of heroic feats that are the endless rewards of owning and caring for a dog. Take the time out each day or, as needed, to celebrate the shy puppy, clever mutt, or happy hound that is the true hero dog in your life!
Excellent post, Carrie! My dogs make me feel like a rock star EVERY time I come home. They’re also my personal trainer…big brown eyes looking at me makes me grab leashes and go for a walk. A special ‘hats off’ to service and working dogs.