news - 25/04/2010 International Search and Rescue Dog Day - Austria
by Paul CechThe recent major natural disasters such as the earthquakes in Sumatra, Haiti and Chile have shown us that, when it comes to searching for trapped people, Search and Rescue dogs are superior to all technical equipment.
Thousands of search and rescue dog teams train regularly and are on stand by twenty-four-seven, in order to save lives in case of emergency. Almost all dog handlers work voluntarily giving up their free time.
Two years ago the “Search and Rescue Dog Day” was dedicated to all of these dog handlers and dogs, which will be commemorated on the 25th April of this year.
From Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea , Argentina, South Africa, Russia as well as all European countries, rescue dog teams will take centre stage where they will also present their work to the public.
Toni Frisch, World Chairman of UNO’s INSARAG (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group) has stated in his welcome note: “I have not only observed and experienced first hand what you are able to achieve together during training sessions, testing events and mission readiness tests; but also, especially so as Mission Leader of rescue efforts following earthquakes overseas. Many people, whether lost in the mountains, trapped in an avalanche or buried under rubble, have been rescued due to your efforts and they owe you their lives. Your work, the countless hours of training and your accomplishments during missions deserve great thanks and the highest recognition. I therefore want to express our gratitude to everyone, whether you are a dog handler, a person in charge of an associated organisation or a background helper”.
The President of IRO (International Rescue Dog Organisation), Dr. Wolfgang Zörner, thinks that rescue dog work has made great progress and developed immensely, especially in those countries which have been strongly affected by natural disasters. Almost all over the world the rescue dog handlers accomplish the long training and exhausting deployment operations voluntarily. Thus it is definitely justified to bring such activities home to the public on the occasion of the “Search and Rescue Dog Day”.
Information about the “Search and Rescue Dog Day“ on the following website www.rescuedogday.com
