News



1st International Day

of

Search and Rescue

 Dogs


<>This 1st International Day of Rescue Dogs   was a big success for the Search and Rescue community, and society in general.
 
The activities began with a symbolic deployment synchronized with all other K-9 SAR teams around the world, professional and volunteer, at precisely 3:00 pm Greenwitch Mean Time (9 am in Alberta).  During this deployment, a message from the UN was read and a plaque signed by Mayor Stephen Mendel officially recognizing the day as the International Day of Rescue Dogs was offered to CASDDA.

Demonstrations took place following this deployment.  CANTF2 and Casdda demonstrated rubble work with their dogs while CSDA showed how article searches and area searches are performed.

The purpose of this event is to honour the work and dedication of all search dogs involved in saving lives or keeping people safe.  It is also a time to remember that Search and Rescue is a team effort which requires exchange and cooperation between the different organizations.  We feel that both were achieved on this very first celebration.

We would like to thank all participants including the RCMP K-9 Division, EPS, CANTF2, CARDA, CSDA, Canada Customs and the members of CASDDA.  A special thanks goes to Cathy Holowaychuk from CSDA for her help in the planning and holding of this event.  We look forward to next year with a bigger and greater celebration. 

This event was chaired by the IRO (International Rescue Dog Organization).





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April 6, 2009:  a 5.9 Earthquake shakes Italy
Soon after hearing of the horrific earthquake which claimed the lives of many, Casdda dispatched 4 members and 3 of their dogs to help in the search and rescue efforts .

The team set up camp in Scoppitto, some 10 km outside the epicenter and went to work each day with the local police and fire department.
    


       



The city center was completely destroyed and the CASDDA team was first asked to confirm the alerts of other Italian K-9 teams.
Later, the team was brought to various part of the epicenter where we were asked to comb the streets and buildings.  Our dogs meticulously searched every collapsed house.  Unfortunately, this part of the mission turned out to be limited to cadaver searches.                                                                                                              
                                             
                    


We thank all the local officials who welcomed our help and allowed us to work with them during this difficult mission.  Many of them had lost friends, family members and their homes.
Our prayers are with them and with every Italian citizen.





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CAMPBELL RIVER, BC
SEMINAR


February 20-21-22, 2009














Upon the request of members of Campbell River Ground SAR, CASDDA members offered a seminar to intoduce K-9 Search and Rescue techniques to interested parties.  Over 30 participants and their K-9 partners attended what turned out to be a very successful event.  Following this seminar, a new K-9 SAR team has been formed and is presently training  vigorously.
We wish this new team all success and we are looking forwards to a long affiliation with CASDDA Campbell River

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CASDDA  Training Coordinator and Team Leader
Silvie Montier received the

2008 Outstanding Search and Rescue
Achievement Award

from the Government of Canada


For more information, please visit:  
   
               National Search and Rescue Secretariat, Government of Canada
               Sarscene Magazine
               Edmonton Journal
             

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Revelstoke, BC
April 25-26-27 2008



Following an interest in K-9 SAR work voiced by several persons, CASDDA was happy to offer a seminar to the resident of  Revelstoke and area.
The seminar was held on April 25th through 27th with the goal to evaluate whether a team could be formed.  The response was overwhelming and 21 participants gathered in the chalet of Mount Revelstoke National Park generously provided by Parks Canada. 
After training all weekend, the seminar ended on Sunday with 10 dogs emerging as great potential SAR dogs and dedicated handlers.

Congratulations to all the participants who worked hard all weekend with their dogs.  CASDDA is looking forward to seeing this new SAR group develop.

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We are very proud to announce that two of our dogs were recently honoured and received the title of "Hero of the Year" for their achievements as Search and Rescue dogs and in particular for their good work in Peru.  Kiora, a Border Collie, and Dante, a Belgian Malinois, are two dogs who, day after day show nothing but dedication, hard work and a wonderful heart.
We thank those who thought of nominating them and those who honoured them, as it is their salute which reminds us how much we truly owe to all working dogs.  It is these kind people who ensure that dogs who train long hours to better serve human beings will never be taken for granted.  May we always remember those dogs who dedicate their lives to making ours a lot better...
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August 15th, 2007:  8.0 Earthquake in Peru ...
CASDDA team members responded to the call for help following the deadly earthquake which shook the entire province of Ica and destroyed the city of  Pisco in the late evening of August 15th.
The dispatched team members were asked for their help within minutes from arriving in Pisco, where the dogs worked shifts of 11 hours each day.  Despite the efforts of all rescuers, local and international, only 3 victimes were found alive and the dogs quickly directed their search towards the finding of the dead.




Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with all those who suffered the loss of family members and friends in this terrible disaster.
We will never forget a kind gentleman who each morning put his sorrow aside long enough to come and thank Kiora for having found his brother who perished while in bed.
Thanks to an international effort, Pisco will be rebuilt as a model city, and will see once again the life of a joyful population.