Whenever there’s a major emergency, such as an explosion, earthquake or landslide, the Australian Swiss Search Dogs Association is called on to help look for survivors.
Dogs and their handlers undergo regular and intensive training to ensure they’re ready to be deployed to the frontline.
Last Saturday, association members visited Werribee for a training day with staff from the University of Melbourne Veterinary Hospital, where handlers received training on what to do if their dogs have a medical emergency during a search.
Handlers took part in exercises with dogs and dog mannequins simulating real-life scenarios.
Founded in Melbourne in 1995, the Australian Swiss Search Dog Association is currently focused on the training and assessing of urban search and rescue dog teams. Its members are regularly called upon to work with emergency services, including the CFA and SES.
