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Show The Sail Luke Tribune Wednesdiy, St ptember 12, 1984 Barbara Altum, Alta Ski Resort dog, Jingo, practice loading on helicopter. Search & Rescue Their paradoxical enthusiasm is emblazoned on their Support Search and Rescue Dogs . . . Get Lost. As much as members of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs Inc., teams hate to see people lost in the wilds or in natural disasters, the thrill and satisfaction of the search and find are what both humans and canine in this group thrive on. Fourteen teams comprised of a handler and a dog make up the squad, commonly known as RDI. They are dispatched out of the Davis County Sheriffs office through the offices dispatch service and are an arm of Wilderness Finders (WOOF). The teams are dispatched to disasters and searches all over the United States and were called this summer to South Carolina after a tornado. They also frequent finds in Idaho and Wyoming Teton Mountain searches. In the wildflowers and waist-hig- h foliage of Alta, Utah, the group recently convened for their monthly seminar to discuss business, laugh a little and do more of what they already do night and day spend time with their dogs. These people have more than the feed and walk the dog relationships with their animals. The dogs, which include German shepards, a collie and a are part of their families and receive the same parental protection as any other family member. Youre the smartest and g one here, said Vicky King of South Ogden to her 2 Vi year-old Collie, Andy, when someone commented on the dogs long nose. Youre the best, arent you, son? she said. In the cool of the afternoon at the seminar, dogs slept, panted, growled at one another occasionally, and played between search drills which had both dog and master running the hills, slopping through water, climbing trees and withstanding the deafening rumble and winds of a Hill Air Force Base helicopter. The dogs are trained for a variety of searches on a spectrum of terrains. The duos search after floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes. They are also called out to search for missing children and elderly people. Members of RDI live all along the Wasatch Front and come from a variety of occupational backgrounds. Like most search and rescue organizations, RDI is volunteer and But unlike other groups, RDI has the confidence and approval of state search and rescue organizations. RDI is independent and has demonstrated its capabilities, said liaison officer Lt. Mike Wilson of the Salt Lake Police Department Search and Rescue. Lt. Wilson said police call the group as a last resort and have been very impressed by RDIs work. Theyre a valuable tool and it definitely is a feather in their cap that they have been accepted by state organizations. The dogs can begin the program at eight weeks old and are first initiated to socializing with other dogs n, ' and people and learn the basics of searching. At this stage the dogs are level one dogs. On level two, the dogs are tested on their drills and are sent on cases with other teams. At level three, the dogs and their handlers both are certified to track alone and must have two three-da- y searches under their collars before they are called on searches. Ms. King said the rewards, in the forms of games and affection, are the most essential part of the training. When they locate a victim, that moment has to be filled with gratification in order to make the experience positive for the dog. The dog has to know that there is something fun lots of games at the end, she explained. These dogs are working hard for the end. For example, on a split search, two RDI members start a drill on the same route, eventually splitting into different directions. The handler gives a pheromone-drenched article, usually a piece of clothing, to the dog. At the command, Track, the dog takes a few minutes to accustom himself with the terrain, distinguishes the specified scent and is off. Aside from a brief hesitation where the mock-searc- h victims split, the dog, Andy in this case, leads Ms. King and a few straggling reporters and photographer right to the victim. Good boy! screams Ms. King as she jumps into the ditch and rewards Andy with a rambunctious game of low-dang- er tug-of-w- best-lookin- -- tug-of-w- Stanton Steuri looks back to squad before approaching the His German helicopter. training shepherd, Magie, looks np for reassurance. search-and-resc- ne non-profi- t. Story Andrea Otanez Photography A1 Hartmann Salt Lake These seminars are essential because they keep the dogs going, explained Nancy Hachmeister, a RDI veteran and mother of two German shepards, Aja and Kallie. She said the searches are not enough to keep the dogs keen to techniques because they are far and few between. How many searches do they go on a year? As many as we can, Ms. Hachmeister said. Although its the animals instinctual supremacy which sniffs out the victims, its the handler who carries all the bivouac supplies, equipment, radio and food for the team. The handler has to secure carabi-ne- r and webbing when the team is lifted by helicopter. And its the skilled survivalist who trains, leads and then eventually follows the dog. So, like the dog, the handler must pass a series of toughness tests before human and beast are certified to search. Most of the handlers are EMTs emergency medical technicians, and theyre all trained in mountaineering through the National Ski Patrol, Ms. King explained. They must pass a series of physical fitness tests and have compass and radio knowledge. Above all, Ms. King said, we have to have common sense for the sake of the teams and the victims. A handler has to know how far the dog can go." She said they run the dog hardest when looking for lost children. Most of them never go on searches when they know firearms are involved. The group raises funds for its projects and equipment through donations at demonstrations or disand from funds plays in local fairs, by selling from various philanthropist groups. Tribune Staff , Tom Shirley encourages his Dalmatian, Pati, with some reassuring words before search drill. A handler has to know how far the dog can go. Vicky King tells her Collie, Andy, to stick with the scent during a trial search. f. i ' -- I |
