rescue dog day

The “International Day of Search & Rescue Dogs” on 29th of April 2012 will be held worldwide for the second time. After the most successful rehearsal 2008 in Austria and great events 2009, 2010 and 2011, we expect a worldwide sustained interest in the work of our dogs. In the last couple of years, the rescue dog work has made a substantial progress, especially in countries which are heavily affected by natural disasters. Nearly everywhere in the world, rescue dog handlers with their dogs are doing their exhausting work, long education and deployment, voluntarily.

So it is justifiable to bring these activities closest possible to the public through this event. The big variety of races of dogs in the rescue dog work is not comparable to any other kind of dog work, and this will be highlighted at this worldwide event. Independently of any organisational membership, we want to show the entire world on the “International Day of Search & Rescue Dogs” the special skills of our well trained dogs. I wish all of you participating at these activities, a successful day and active attention of the public.

We will be participating in the International Day of Search & Rescue Dogs for the 5th time running as a rescue dog group from the organisation Johanniter Austria, which is integrated in the disaster response of the Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe (Johanniter Accident Assitance).

As all of you, we will embrace the opportunity once again to present to the interested public and also to politicians the work of our dogs and their voluntary handlers. Whether it be the different fields of activity such as area, tracking, rubble, water or avalanche search or information about the many other tasks and duties involved – we are glad to be able to provide an insight into our professional and voluntary work.

We are happy that our colleagues all over the world will also host events such as demonstrations, presentations, mission exercises or open days on the International Day of Search & Rescue Dogs and thus help to inform about our efforts and to promote our work. On this special day we are able as a whole to highlight the work of our rescue dogs which often happens in the background.

As a representative for all participating rescue dog teams, we congratulate you on your important and commendable work and wish you a great International Day of Search & Rescue Dogs 2012.