The dogs that rescue people after earthquakes
How 'search and rescue dogs' operate
In the last couple of weeks, photos and videos of a labrador retriever (Roger) became popular on social media. Roger became a hero after his role in helping people trapped under the debris after an earthquake in Taiwan. He was more famous than some of his canine friends who were involved in quake-relief, because, he had failed an earlier program for ‘sniffer dogs’. How did this ‘failed dog’ become ‘hero’? That’s today’s story for you.
I have narrated the story in far greater detail in a podcast, so if you want all the details, listen to the podcast.
Why Roger failed
Roger was born in a small dog training centre in Taiwan. When he was still a puppy, he would be given small things to sniff at, and then those tiny things would be hidden somewhere in the room. Roger would spend the next half hour or so, walking all over the premises, sniffing at everything that came his way. Finally once Roger found what he needed to, he would be given a toy or a reward. Thrilled at getting his reward, Roger would be happy to rinse and repeat the process of sniffing and finding what he had to! Roger was very close to being accepted in the country’s program for sniffer dogs (where dogs would have to sniff at baggages in airports / ports for dangerous substances).
But, Roger also had a problem. He was too friendly. Often when he would be asked to sniff at a baggage, he would start playing with the people or children standing in the queue. He lost track of what he was supposed to do at the airport, and instead loved to run around, jump and play.
Soon enough, the authorities felt having him around was a waste and he was marked a ‘fail’ for the sniffer dog program.
When things changed for Roger
His handler, however, felt that Roger’s abundance of energy could be used to help earthquake victims. He thought Roger should join the save and rescue program for dogs. These were dogs that would run all over a disaster site, sniff for humans stuck under the debris and then alert their handlers for potential victims to be saved.
As luck would have it, Roger became a huge success as a search and rescue dog! He joined the country’s elite group of canines and has helped in more than 5 earthquake disaster sites in Taiwan.
Are there more such Rogers in the world?
When a severe earthquake struck Turkey and Syria a few months ago, many countries sent aid. Some were in the form of food, blankets, tents etc. One of the first forms of aid that arrived on scene were ‘search and rescue dogs’ from many countries. Mexico sent 16 of its well trained dogs, India sent 4. Germany, Switzerland, USA, UK and many other countries also sent dogs as an immediate response to the earthquake. Roger has more of his ilk across the world. Many countries train their commandoes and dogs for important rescue missions, with the same amount of focus and importance as they give their army / navy.
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