news - 14/05/2009 IRO: Rescuedogs from Abu Dhabi - Austria
by Paul CechIRO: Rescuedogs from Abu Dhabi are training in Austria
Invited by the “International Rescuedog Organisation”, rescuedog handlers from the “Abu Dhabi Police” are training in Austria at the “Tritolwerk” (a training ground of the Austrian Forces near Wiener Neustadt).
Lieutenant Colonel Jamal Juma Habash, Director of the United Arab Emirates Police Dogs Section: “We are pleased of being here. It is a wonderful training ground, which we don’t have.
It is important for Lt. Col. Jamal Juma Habash that his dog handlers (among them one woman) and dogs are getting as soon as possible up to the high European education standard and to become a member of the IRO (“International Rescuedog Organisation”).
On the first day, under the professional leadership of the IRO-trainer Zsófia Eged from Hungary, the Arabic rescuedog teams started with basic search exercises to deepen the existing education level from the basis on.
Subsequently the rubble search will be intensified (for deployment after earthquakes).
IRO-President Dr. Wolfgang Zörner, who welcomed the guests, is pleased of the development in the rescuedogs work in the Arabic region. 10 or 20 years ago, it was barely imaginable that someone is working with dogs in these countries. Soon the rescuedogs of the “Abu Dhabi Police” will follow the Rescuedog-Organisation of Dubai into the worldwide operating “International Rescuedog Organisation”.
Dr. Zörner: “We are pleased of every new organisation which makes the search for victims after disasters, with the help of their dogs, to their business. The tighter the network the sooner we can be in the disaster area with our dogs. But we have extremely high claims to the education level of the dog teams. Only the best and most efficient working dogs are allowed to go on mission. All the more we are happy that the teams from Abu Dhabi came to Austria to be trained on the highest level.”
The 9 male and one female dog handlers are glad about the “bad” weather in Austria. They enjoy the rain in the morning at 12°C - looking up to the sky and saying: "Great weather! We like it!" ... in Abu Dhabi it is 40°C hot.....
