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Post by Schaeferhund on Jan 1, 2004 14:03:45 GMT -5
I've seen a docu on Discovery Channel (or something like that) about a search dog. A German Shepherd from the States, his handler and owner is a German woman, who's been living in the States for 20 years or so. She goes with his dogs to the crisis regions... eathquakes, avalanches etc. But it's not the point. They said in this documentary that there were less than 20 (!) dogs around the world that go work in those crisis situations. I was very surprised... the number seems very small to me. Does anyone have any information on that topic?
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Post by Currmudgeon on Jan 1, 2004 15:10:48 GMT -5
That number seems too small. I think there were more dogs than that at the WTC alone. It is difficult, however, to get FEMA certification. It is a very stringent program resulting in a relatively small number of qualified dogs.
I suspect the author looked at one certification program only.
As far as regular SAR dogs, there are certainly many more than 20 in the world.
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Post by TheDahliMamma on Jan 1, 2004 15:46:09 GMT -5
There are thousands of search dogs. I have 2! Well, actually one is retired now and the other was never able to finish her cert because we discovered she had epilepsy which was very difficult... HOWEVER, I do believe that the documentary was refering to the dogs that this particular organization has certified. I saw the documentary, too. It is a new organization - a Foundation actually. Their training is similar to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). I believe that they use dogs from shelters and match them up to people who work in disaster relief. There are many organizations that certify search dogs for different types of searching. FEMA certifies dog for primarily disaster searching...earthquakes, collapsed buildings, etc. Then there is ARDA - the American Rescue Dog Association that was actually the first organization to develop a standard of training and certification for dogs in search and rescue. ARDA was founded by Bill and Jean Syrotuck in 1972. They advocate the German Shepherd Dog and developed airscenting techniques for use primarily in wilderness type situations. Other organizations have come along as well, who will now certify dogs for SAR work. Another is NASAR - the National Association for Search and Rescue. Many times, local SAR groups will develop their own standards and certification. There can be some controversy among groups as to what should be the standard. I've met some groups who did not require any obedience! <shaking my head> Somehow I can't imagine a search dog who does not have a reliable "come" when called command! For many years, there were no standards for certification EXCEPT those that were written by ARDA. Now, as in this foundation that was highlighted on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel, there are several organizations out there doing this. The show you saw was highlighting only one new group and they only have about 20 dogs certified at this time. I am proud to say that at one time I was Vice President of the first and only ARDA group in Idaho: Intermountain Search and Rescue Dog Association. ;D My mentor and training sponsor, Sue Lavoie searched the WTC landfill with 2 of her dogs, Socks and Jerry. ;D Hope that answers some of your questions.. visit the ARDA website at: www.ardainc.org/xstatmen.htmFran
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AvalancheGSD
Junior Member
SG1 Phoenix vom Valkyre BH CGC
Posts: 16
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Post by AvalancheGSD on Jan 5, 2004 16:56:21 GMT -5
I just checked my latest roster of FEMA certified dogs. As of the last update there are 63 Advanced and 82 Basic certified dogs. It's not that many when you think about it. I have taken the basic test and it's not an easy one to pass. The advanced is even tougher - but then that's why they have standards. ;D
The majority of which are affiliated with a Federally Rostered FEMA team. There are also a few teams that are 'independents'. In other words, they may train and test to the FEMA standards, but don't have access to belonging to a local FEMA team.
There are also only certain FEMA teams that respond outside the U.S. This is due mainly in part to the cost of keeping up vaccinations, passports and/or whatever else is needed to go outside the country.
I currently have 4 GSD's that are certified in some, if not all of the following disciplines, Wilderness, Cadaver, Avalanche, Disaster and Water/Drowning.
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Amaruq
Junior Member
Posts: 34
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Post by Amaruq on Jan 12, 2004 15:09:16 GMT -5
I have one retired search dog and 4 trained/in training, however, I am not currently associated with a team. I train them on my own when I have the time and the victims. Some may be switching careers if I can find any other type of training around here...... We were just a small local team with local certs.....
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