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Omaha Steve

(99,722 posts) Sun Mar 30, 2014, 09:11 PM Mar 2014

Search dogs take break from mudslide recovery

Source: AP-Excite

By JONATHAN J. COOPER and LISA BAUMANN

DARRINGTON, Wash. (AP) - Many of the dogs that have been essential in the search for victims of the deadly mudslide that buried the mountainside community of Oso will take a two-day break after long hours in the cold and rain, rescue crews said Sunday.

The dogs can lose their sensing ability if overworked, officials said.

"The conditions on the slide field are difficult, so this is just a time to take care of the dogs," said Kris Rietmann, a spokeswoman for the team working on the eastern portion of the slide, which hit March 22 about 55 miles northeast of Seattle and is one of the deadliest in U.S. history.

Dogs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that arrived more recently will continue working, said Heidi Amrine, another spokeswoman for the operation.

FULL story at link.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140331/DACSB7481.htmla

Rescue dog Tryon, muddied from the day's work, stands with his handler near the west side of the mudslide on Highway 530 near mile marker 37 in Arlington, Wash., on Sunday, March 30, 2014. Periods of rain and wind have hampered efforts the past two days, with some rain showers continuing today. Last night, the confirmed fatalities list was updated to 18, with the number of those missing falling from 90 to 30. (AP Photo/Rick Wilking, Pool)

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Search dogs take break from mudslide recovery (Original Post) Omaha Steve Mar 2014 OP

As much as my heart goes out to the families, I'm also feeling incredibly torn for these poor pups hlthe2b Mar 2014 #1

Yes they do. They're heroes, too. 840high Mar 2014 #2

Bless their hearts KT2000 Mar 2014 #3

I once read that these dogs get depressed if they search for a long time without finding survivors. Lasher Mar 2014 #4

I remember hearing this too catchnrelease Mar 2014 #5

Dogs are a lot like us. If in doubt, treat them like small fur-covered people. Jerry442 Mar 2014 #8

That's good to know and I hope that's general practice. pnwmom Mar 2014 #6

That's interesting! flamingdem Mar 2014 #7

They may be using cadaver dogs. leftyladyfrommo Mar 2014 #9

hlthe2b

(102,372 posts)

1. As much as my heart goes out to the families, I'm also feeling incredibly torn for these poor pups

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Sun Mar 30, 2014, 09:16 PM

Mar 2014

Searching for cadavers is really hard on search and rescue dogs. It seems clear they experience a kind of PTSD as well as humans.

They deserve every kindness humans can shower them with.

840high

(17,196 posts)

2. Yes they do. They're heroes, too.

Reply to hlthe2b (Reply #1)

Sun Mar 30, 2014, 09:58 PM

Mar 2014

KT2000

(20,588 posts)

3. Bless their hearts

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Sun Mar 30, 2014, 10:15 PM

Mar 2014

I hope they get a warm bath and a snooze next to a fireplace.

Lasher

(27,638 posts)

4. I once read that these dogs get depressed if they search for a long time without finding survivors.

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Sun Mar 30, 2014, 10:18 PM

Mar 2014

And so, during a break the handlers hide so that the dogs can find them. That is all these dogs need to lift their spirits so that they can resume the searching. It has been many years since I learned that and I always remember this when I know rescue dogs are at work.

catchnrelease

(1,945 posts)

5. I remember hearing this too

Reply to Lasher (Reply #4)

Sun Mar 30, 2014, 10:29 PM

Mar 2014

Back during one of the earlier disasters (9/11 or Katrina maybe) it was reported that the dogs got depressed as you say. And that the handlers would set it up for them to find a 'survivor' so that the dogs could go on. What troopers, they are so giving and ask so little from us.