Search and rescue in the Knockmealdowns
The Search and Dog Rescue Association (SARDA) are a national voluntary organisation where teams of dogs and handlers come together to assist in the finding, and rescuing, of people across Ireland.
Members take to the hills for training and at the beginning of February, six teams of dog and handlers were undergoing assessment by Bay Lough, outside Clogheen.
On Sunday morning a fortnight ago, dog handler Anthony was working with springer spaniel Finnegan to locate three ‘bodies’ in the valley. By 10.20am the team had located two of the three, and would be repeating the exercise on the slopes opposite later in the morning.
The exercise was a pre-assessment to see if Finnegan was ready to be an accredited search dog with SARDA. Training typically takes two to three years, and once completed, the dog-andhandler teams will be called upon by the Gardaí, Irish Mountain Rescue or Coastguard agencies. The dog works by locating a scent ‘cone’ - the scent that comes off any person, and not by smelling the ground. According to Louise, the most common breeds with an aptitude for search and rescue are collies, German shepherds and retrievers, or a mix of them.
TRAINING
Gerry Tobin and Louise Burgoyne, with 12-year-old Lyla, were on hand to observe Anthony and Finnegan’s progress. Gerry explained that the teams, once ready, will be assessed by their counterparts who will visit from the UK. When the UK team need to be assessed, the Irish will return the favour, to ensure objectivity.
There are six national training weekends annually in preparation for the assessment, as well as what the handler and the dog do locally.
Lyla, one of the organisation’s most experienced dogs, is devoted to her black rubber toy, which she carries with her for the entire meeting.
“Ideally, you would start training the dog as soon as you get them, and get them obsessed with their toy. Reward them with the toy when they’re successful.”
Gerry goes on to say that dogs can fail their assessment, and training will continue if they can be improved - though sometimes, a dog just won’t be suitable.
MARCH ASSESSMENT
Up by the carpark near Bay Lough, by the stone Bianconi Station (the altar), another group were training with the ‘ puppies’ - younger dogs who are at an early stage. Mike Palmer, from Innishannon, had been laying on the ground as a ‘dog body’ for some time - a willing volunteer to play the part so the young dogs could practice finding him. Mike is with his second dog - the first, he says, had to be decommissioned: ‘He was a bit of a, how should I say it? A bit of a ‘project’!”
SARDA, with approximately 20 teams nationwide, are one of the only search and rescue groups that are not geographically bound. The team will go to where they are needed, regardless of where that is.
The next assessment takes place in March, where teams that were training in the Knockmealdowns will go forward for their exam. Best of luck!