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Disaster Medicine Search-And-Rescue Dogs: an Overview for Veterinarians

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Disaster Medicine Search-And-Rescue Dogs: an Overview for Veterinarians 0915DisMed.qxd 8/24/2004 3:42 PM Page 854 Disaster Medicine Search-and-rescue dogs: an overview for veterinarians Katherine E. Jones; Karen Dashfield, DVM; Amanda B. Downend, BA; Cynthia M. Otto, DVM, PhD, DACVECC he use of dogs for search and rescue (SAR) was first identifying prey; and are trainable, inquisitive, friendly, Trecorded in the 1800s, but anecdotal evidence sug- and need a purpose or focus for their energy. Dogs with gests that they may have been used 200 years earlier.1 high drive, which are desirable in SAR work, may not Stories of heroic dogs during World War (WW) I and adjust well to a sedentary life style and therefore often WWII represent some of the modern manifestations of are relinquished to animal shelters. Such dogs have the organized SAR. These military dogs, known as ambu- potential to be excellent SAR dogs. lance and Red Cross dogs, were used on the battlefield to locate the wounded and deliver first aid supplies.1 Scent and the Sense of Smell Today, civilian SAR training conducted in the United The use of dogs in search activities takes advantage States is largely based on methods used to train the mil- of dogs’ keen sense of smell. The exact nature of scent itary dogs in WWII.1 Since WWII, more than 150 SAR is the topic of current scientific investigation; however, teams have been established in North America.2 loosely defined, scent is considered to be a combina- Canine SAR teams in the United States are com- tion of chemicals that a dog can learn or be trained to posed of specially trained search dogs and their human identify. For example, hunting dogs identify specific partners, who are often referred to as canine handlers. animal scents, narcotics dogs identify narcotic scents, The handler commonly is also the owner, trainer, bomb dogs identify scents of explosives, and SAR dogs guardian, and companion of the SAR dog. Most canine identify human scents. The distinctive scent that SAR teams are composed of volunteers, and the dogs emanates from a live human is generated from contin- are personal pets as well as working partners. uous shedding of tiny flakes of skin mixed with per- Depending on their specific training, teams are pre- spiration (watery and oily secretions). This material is pared to respond to crime scenes, accidents, missing called scurf. In addition to oils and watery secretions, person incidents, and natural and man-made disasters. scurf also carries many odors from a person’s clothing, The teams train and work in a wide variety of environ- shampoo, soap, deodorant, perfume, and other materi- ments. als. Combined, these chemicals produce the scent fin- Although most SAR dogs belong to working, herd- gerprint that appears to be unique to a single person. ing, retrieving, or sporting breeds, dogs of numerous When a person dies, the unique scent emitted by that breeds, including mixed breeds, can be successful in individual undergoes an almost immediate transforma- SAR work. Important characteristics in a potential SAR tion to a more generic scent associated with the loss of dog are termed hunt drive, prey drive, and ball drive. A aerobic metabolism and proliferation of bacteria. dog with high hunt drive will search for a hidden toy Although a human does not notice the change until it for prolonged periods without giving up or turning to is well advanced, a dog can immediately recognize the the handler for assistance. A dog with high prey drive change in odor and accurately discriminate between enjoys the chase and will enthusiastically pursue a per- live scent and cadaver scent.3 Although live scent is son who runs away to hide or chase a toy that is individual, cadaver scent is nonspecific and changes dragged behind a handler. A dog with high ball drive is chemically over time during the different stages of one in which a toy is extremely important, and the dog decomposition of the body.3 will play with and pursue the toy to the exclusion of Scent is most concentrated at its source (ie, the any distractions. These qualities help predict the will- victim). The scent spreads and becomes progressive- ingness and ability of a dog to search unendingly for a ly less concentrated, forming a scent cone. Scent victim until he or she is found. Additionally, good can- pools form when air is stagnant around the source. didates for SAR work are dogs that have good tem- Factors such as wind, air temperature, humidity, soil peraments; rely on scent rather than visual contact for temperature, and terrain can affect the scent cone or scent pool and where and how far it is dispersed.3 From the Department of Clinical Studies—Philadelphia, School of Wind can be channeled by obstructions and rapidly Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA disperse scent in unexpected directions. The han- 19104-6010 (Jones, Downend, Otto); and Rescue International, PO Box 544, Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327 (Dashfield). Dr. Dashfield’s dler’s understanding of the dynamics of wind cur- present address is 544 Route 94, Newton, NJ 07860. rents is a critical part of the teamwork involved in a Address correspondence to Dr. Otto. successful search. 854 Vet Med Today: Disaster Medicine JAVMA, Vol 225, No. 6, September 15, 2004 0915DisMed.qxd 8/24/2004 3:42 PM Page 855 Classification of SAR Dogs certification of SAR dogs vary by certifying organiza- The 3 major categories of search dogs are tracking, tion; however, the National Association for Search trailing, and air scenting. These categories are defined and Rescue Inc (NASAR) has established voluntary by the exact manner in which the dog has been trained qualification standards for disaster,4 cadaver,5 and to locate a person. Tracking dogs work while harnessed water search.6 Any dog deploying with a Federal and on a leash, keep their nose to the ground, and fol- Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban low the actual tracks left by the victim.1 These dogs are Search and Rescue (USAR) team must be trained to usually scent specific, requiring a scent article contain- find live victims and pass rigorous certification evalua- ing the unique smell of the person being sought. This tions based on FEMA’s standards.7 Certain states also scent article may be a piece of clothing, bedding, car require that SAR dogs pass state certification testing seat, or even a location where the person was known to before they are allowed to work on a search. Although stand for a period of time. Because these dogs follow some states provide information on the Internet, indi- the exact path walked by the missing person, it is the- viduals interested in obtaining information about state orized that they are following a trail made by both requirements for SAR should contact their local or human scent and environmental disturbances (eg, state emergency operations center. crushed vegetation). Socialization is fundamental to training a SAR dog. A trailing dog works on or off leash and is also Dogs are taken out in public and acclimated to as many scent specific, requiring a scent article. The trailing dog different experiences and people as possible. follows the scent and works within a few feet of the Obedience and the ability of the dog to respond to person’s track.1 These dogs exclusively follow human directional commands are important as well, because scent that has drifted to the ground, sometimes a sub- off-leash control is essential in SAR. Athleticism and stantial distance from the path actually walked by the agility are crucial for dogs trained to search in urban person being sought. Although an uncontaminated and wilderness environments. Dogs are trained to track or trail is always easier to follow, these dogs, if move carefully and confidently on surfaces that by properly trained, can find a person even after substan- nature they would avoid. Urban SAR dogs spend a tial contamination has occurred from other persons great deal of training time on rubble, which may walking over the victim’s track or trail. Both tracking include old cars, unsteady surfaces, chain link fences, and trailing dogs work best if there is no one else in the rebar, and broken concrete. Urban SAR dogs are search area. expected to navigate tunnels, climb ladders, and be Conversely, air-scenting dogs are capable of work- able to rappel (with the handler) from buildings. ing effectively while other teams are in the same search Unlike patrol dogs, aggression toward humans or other area. They also have the unique advantage of working animals is not tolerated in SAR dogs. off leash, are able to cover large areas of ground, and When a SAR dog is given a command to go find, it are not hindered by water. These dogs are able to locate is a game of hide-and-seek for the dog. The dog is scent from a living person or from a human cadaver, trained to locate the victim and alert the handler to the depending on their training. An air scenting dog is find by a focused bark (a bark alert in which the dog more flexible than a tracking or trailing dog in that it continues barking without distraction until signaled by does not require a scent article or a trail to follow. The the handler to stop), sitting (passive alert), digging dog sniffs the air to identify the human scent, and once (aggressive alert), or returning to the handler and lead- it recognizes this scent, the dog follows the scent to its ing them back to the victim (termed a refind).
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