Trained Search and Rescue Dogs Assist in Haitian Relief Efforts
Search and Rescue Dogs Help Haiti's Earthquake Victims
Dogs trained in performing search and rescue services are being deployed from countries around the world in an effort to assist in relief efforts in earthquake torn Haiti.
According to Discovery News, hundreds of specially trained “sniffer” dogs and their handlers from the U.S., China, Russia, Peru, Mexico, the U.K. and numerous other countries, have made their way to Haiti to help in the rescue operations. Debra Tosch, Executive Director of the U.S. organization National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, stated:
Our hearts go out to our neighbors in Haiti, and we’re honored to be able to help find survivors of this terrible tragedy as part of CA-TF2 (the code name for the task force). This is the day that our teams have trained for; when the unthinkable happens, SDF Teams stand ready to respond, bringing hope and comfort to victims and their loved ones.
Teams from NDSDF have been instrumental in locating and helping to rescue a number of victims buried under the rubble. Five people were rescued on Sunday, days after the earthquake devastated the Caribbean nation. According to Tosch, “The rescues in Haiti underscore the critical importance of Canine Search Teams in finding survivors in the aftermath of major disasters.”
