In Canada most Provinces
have the R.C.M.P. responsible for ground search and rescue. They
have access to their own dogs, which are trained in this area
and are capable of tracking and searching. There are provisions
to use volunteers and their dogs but they must meet a standard
set out by the R.C.M.P., which is tested to and certified each
year. This has guaranteed a search manager (local RCMP) the use
of a known commodity.
There
are several different classifications for dogs as far as S.A.R.
and their abilities. The 3 main areas are: Searching
dogs (dogs that air scent articles or people), Tracking
dogs and dogs that do both. Most feel that due to the nature of
the work, a S.A.R. dog should be able to do both, track and search.
When you get down to an actual search the need for both skills
almost always comes up. To specialize and have just a tracking
dog or just a searching dog limits the team’s usefulness
and then requires a larger number of dogs and handlers to attend
a search. Another consideration is the area that these dogs will
be working in. This also might dictate the skills that the dog
requires. A search team that is only required to work in wide-open
areas such as open farmland may only need the search capabilities.
Where you will be working will play a big part of just what standards
your dog should be expected to meet. The key to a successful S.A.R.
dog is standards.
Your
local area or district should have a letter of agreement, or the
government should have a letter or law as to who is responsible
for S.A.R. in your area. An area of SAR that has really interested
me is water search/ cadaver work. I find it very fascinating.
If
you are interested in doing SAR with your dog and would like more
information and /or contacts, please feel free to get in contact
with me. Although I am not actively involved in a SAR ‘group’,
I have several friends who are familiar and knowledgeable on this
topic and some of the training involved.
