Specially trained dogs search for avalanche victims
From KWGN in Denver
Specially trained dogs search for avalanche victims
Sense of smell helps dogs find victims in minutes
by Laura Main, News2
SUMMIT COUNTY (KWGN) — Avalanches at ski resorts are pretty rare, since most do control work on a regular basis. And at Copper Mountain they have an added safety net for skiers and riders — dogs, trained to dig people out from slides.
This weekend, the dogs took part in a training mission to keep their skills up. Handler Chris Sutton hugs his 2-year-old Golden Retriever, Cascade, and gets him pumped up for the exercise.
"Where'd your people go? Huh? Where'd they go? Who's out there? Cascade, you want to go to work? Good boy. You want to go to work? Cascade, go search, " ge said.
Cascade's a typical Golden Retriever — exuberant, playful and incredibly social. He's been putting all those skills to good use since he was four weeks old. He's a fourth generation avalanche dog. He trains at least once a week to really hone his skills. He sniffs out a slide area and goes to where the scent is strongest and he starts digging. When he's sure he's found a slide victim, he barks, to let Chris know he's made a definite find. Chris is pleased it took him just 30 seconds to find his first victim.
"A very clear alert, a good bark right away. Very aggressive dig. You see how he's growling, and really wanting to get to them," said Sutton.
Chris and other volunteers help dig out the snow at the spot Cascade's indicated. And when they find the volunteer who's buried in the snow, Cascade goes nuts.
"Look at that tail. That's the happiest dog in the world right there."
In an avalanche, just a few seconds can be the difference between life and death. That's why dogs like Cascade are such a huge help.
Sutton said, "Dogs are incredibly fast. They can search an area far faster than humans simply because he's more agile over avalanche debris than I am."
Plus, a dog's strong sense of smell can find a victim much faster than humans probing the snow with poles. Handlers volunteer several hours a week to make sure their dogs are ready to go whenever they're needed. Handler John Reller has been doing this for 19 years.
"The rewards are huge. Just to see how well the dogs work, how much they like it, but also the end result whether it's a live find or closure for the family and friends of whoever's been buried or lost, " said Reller.
So even if you're not a dog lover, Cascade or one of his buddies could wind up being your best friends in the worst of circumstances.
After Cascade's found all three victims, Chris gives him a big hug and said, "That was a good search! That was a good search, yes it was! (BARKS) Good boy! BARKING"
The dog teams at Copper also help the county search and rescue team and the Flight for Life chopper with backcountry rescues.
