Dogs play many roles in our lives. Some dogs are playmates.

Some are
guardians. Some are service dogs. And some dogs are best described as heroes.
The canines involved in search and rescue missions are heroic dogs that
optimize their natural abilities to help distressed people.

What are search and rescue dogs?

Search and rescue (SAR) dogs spring into action assisting humans during difficult
times. They track people lost in the wilderness or those lost after a natural
disaster. SAR dogs find Alzheimer’s patients who have wandered away from a
care facility. They locate people trapped in debris after an earthquake or buried
under an avalanche of snow. SAR dogs adapt to a variety of circumstances and
work well under pressure.

Why are dogs used for search and rescue work?

Dogs are specially equipped to be rescuers and can home in on a lost person
with their amazing sense of smell.  With noses that far surpass ours, dogs have
more than 100 million sensory receptor sites in the nasal cavity, as compared to 6
million in people. Moreover, the area of the canine brain devoted to analyzing
odors is about 40 times larger than the comparable part of the human brain. In
fact, it’s been estimated that dogs can smell anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000
times better than people. Dogs simply have a “nose” for rescue work.

Humans may readily smell baking cookies, but dogs can detect a lot more
because they have an additional olfactory organ that increases their ability to
smell. Located inside the nasal cavity, Jacobsen’s organ opens into the roof of
the mouth behind the upper incisors. The nerves from Jacobsen’s organ lead
directly to the brain, and unlike other nerves in the nose that respond to ordinary
smells, these nerve cells respond to a range of substances that often have no
odor at all. In other words, they work to detect “undetectable” odors.

What are the types of rescue dogs?

Although all SAR dogs depend on their sense of smell, they are distinguished as
either air-scenting or trailing dogs. Air-scenting dogs detect human scent that is
airborne and often work off-lead to cover large areas of land. They are usually
non-scent-discriminating, meaning that they detect scent from any human as
opposed to a specific person.

By comparison, trailing dogs are trackers that can discriminate the scent of a
specific person after smelling an article of clothing or object touched by the
missing person. These scent-specific dogs track by keeping their noses to the
ground, only occasionally raising their heads to detect air-borne particles. Trailing
dogs work both on- and off-lead and follow the actual path taken by the missing
person.
How do air-scenting dogs work?
Air-scenting dogs follow diffused or wind-borne aromas until they find the site
where the smells originated. Once they find the source of the odor, these SAR
dogs call their handlers by barking. If the handler is far away, the SAR dog may
return to the handler and guide him to the scent origin, i.e. the lost person.
"Since air-scenting dogs detect air-borne particles,
weather conditions affect
their job performance."

Since air-scenting dogs detect air-borne particles, weather conditions affect their
job performance. Wind speed, temperature, humidity, and wind direction all
impact the dog’s ability to work. Amazingly, despite less than optimal conditions,
these talented dogs can cover a search area that may range from a few blocks to
150 acres and can detect a scent source as far as ¼ mile away.

Although an astute sense of smell is a generalized canine trait, some dogs

perform better than others. Air-scenting SAR dogs are often herding or sporting
breeds, such as Border Collies, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Springer
Spaniels, or Labrador Retrievers.

How do trailing dogs work?

Trailing dogs follow a specific scent left behind by a missing person on earth and
vegetation. They are so focused in on the scent that they can accurately map
turns or even “double backs” taken by the lost person. The discerning noses of
tracking dogs can rule out other human scents and focus on the “smell of the
day”, an important aspect of successful rescue missions. Since these dogs often
work on-lead and move at a slower pace than their air-scenting co-workers, the
handlers of tracking dogs are usually close by.

Most people identify Bloodhounds as the premier tracking dog, but other breeds
perform well too. Sporting, working, and herding breeds excel at the task. Larger,
sturdier breeds can adapt to rough terrains and face grueling conditions.
Handlers must also be able to face the physical challenges of search and rescue
missions.

Do the two types of SAR dogs ever work together?

In times of disaster, air-scenting and trailing dogs may work together. Air-scenting
dogs are released in high-probability areas or places where the lost person is
likely to be and scan broad swaths of terrain. Tracking dogs are deployed from
the person’s last known point (LKP) or the site of a discovered piece of evidence
and maneuver outwards from there. Both types of SAR dogs must be able to
work 4-8 hours straight and not be distracted by human rescue workers or
wildlife. As crucial team members, handlers must be proficient in wilderness
survival techniques when working in rough terrain.
Both air-scenting and tracking dogs can be cross- trained as cadaver dogs that
are used to locate the remains of deceased victims. These dogs work over large
areas in the event of natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, tornadoes) or small
areas (specific crime scenes).

What training is required to become a SAR dog?

A good nose is not enough. A proficient SAR dog needs lots of training, starting
with basic obedience skills. Then SAR dogs learn how to track, signal their
handlers, and behave appropriately in stressful situations. Their handlers need
training, too. Handlers are often trained as law enforcement, fire service, and
emergency response professionals.

Young pups begin training as early as 8-10 weeks old and go on the job by 1 or 1
1/2 years of age. Since the job is physically demanding, SAR dogs often retire
when they are 5-10 years old. These hard-working canines then enjoy a much
deserved retirement, often alongside their handlers where they are part of the
family.

What Is Equine Therapy?

Click anywhere on the image above to download your free copy of The Aspen Guide to Wilderness Therapy
– a comprehensive introduction for parents of adolescents, teens, and young adults.

Equine Therapy (also referred to as Horse Therapy, Equine-Assisted Therapy, and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy) is a
form of experiential therapy that involves interactions between patients and horses.
 Equine Therapy involves activities (such as grooming, feeding, haltering and leading a horse) that are supervised by a
mental health professional, often with the support of a horse professional.

Both during the activity and after the patient has finished working with the horse, the equine therapist can observe and
interact with the patient in order to identify behavior patterns and process thoughts and emotions.

The goal of equine therapy is to help the patient develop needed skills and attributes, such as accountability,
responsibility, self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and self-control. Equine therapy also provides an innovative milieu
in which the therapist and the patient can identify and address a range of emotional and behavioral challenges.

What are the Benefits of Equine Therapy?

Studies have indicated that equine therapy has been successful in helping patients show marked improvements in the
following areas:

 Assertiveness
 Emotional awareness
 Empathy
 Stress tolerance
 Flexibility
 Impulse control
 Problem-solving skills
 Self-actualization
 Independence
 Self-regard
 Social responsibility
 Interpersonal relationships
Many of the benefits of equine therapy are likely due to the nature of the animals with which the patient and equine
therapist are interacting. Horses are typically non-judgmental, have no preconceived expectations or motives, and are
highly effective at mirroring attitudes and behaviors of the humans with whom they are working.

While working with horses under the guidance and supervision of an equine therapist, equine therapy patients have a
unique and effective opportunity to note their tendency to engage in self-defeating and otherwise negative thoughts and
actions. These realizations provide excellent bases for discussion and processing both during and after the equine therapy
experience.
What Conditions/Disorders Does Equine Therapy Treat?
Equine therapy has been successfully integrated into treatment programs for adults and teens who are being treated for
substance abuse, addiction, behavior disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, learning differences, ADD/ADHD,
autism, Asperger’s, grief/loss, trauma, sex addiction, compulsive gambling, bipolar, depression and related conditions.

DOLPHIN ASSISTED THERAPY

DEFINITION
Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) has been used as a therapeutic approach to
increase speech and motor skills in patients with developmental, physical, and
emotional conditions, such as Down syndrome and autism.
Have you seen children and adults wearing lifesaving vests and swimming happily
with dolphins in a pool? How easily does a dolphin approach these strangers? How
nice do these people seem to be spending time?
Well, this image may correspond to a dolphin-assisted therapy program, a different
activity than “swimming with dolphins” that only focuses on introducing people to
the water with dolphins, teaching them some features of the cetacean and having a
fun time.
Dolphin-assisted therapy is a variant of the therapy with animals and consists in
the interaction of these animals with people suffering from a physical, congenital or
psychological conditions or diseases. According to the WDCS (Whale and Dolphin
Conservation Society), this therapy treats children or adults with physical,
emotional and mental disabilities in a controlled program that uses dolphins in
captivity or sometimes part of a population living in the wild.
People who have taken therapy with dolphins describe the experience as “magical”
and say that it improves the quality of their life.
These dolphins are trained to socialize with people, and their company, focused in
swimming along with them, touching them and observing their tricks and stunts,
has a positive effect on the health of these patients. From this perspective,
dolphins are practically therapists.
A program to perform these therapies requires a whole arsenal of elements to be
reliable, safe and have the proper results: dolphin trainers, veterinarians, human
therapists, adequate infrastructure for patients and dolphins, and of course, a
budget to preserve the health of these therapist animals.
People who have taken this kind of therapy with these cetaceans describe the
experience as “magical” and say that it improves the quality of their life. Judith
Simon Prager, author, and writer of several texts on the subject says there are
notable improvements in people with Down syndrome or cerebral palsy and in
general, many people believe that swimming with dolphins has extraordinary
results in the wellness of patients with any health condition.
BACKGROUND
It was a woman named Betsy Smith who started this practice in the 1970s after
observing the interaction between her brother, who was mentally ill, and a dolphin.
In 1987, some researchers conducted a case study where dolphins were used to
encourage an autistic child to communicate with people. The results convinced
Betsy that this kind of therapy with these intelligent and friendly animals was like a
new medicine to heal people.
Since then, various centers, dolphinariums, and aquariums have started offering
dolphin-assisted therapy for all types of people, including pregnant women who
they say will get a benefit for them and their babies. It is currently a very popular
and demanded activity throughout the world, offered as a cure and frequent in
places with access to the ocean. These places charge a considerable amount of
money to allow access to the water and have interaction with the dolphins as well
as the backup of human professionals who regulate the activity, which has a
variable duration. Generally and according to the condition, a series of several
sessions is recommended to get results from the therapy.
Betsy Smith disengaged herself from dolphin therapy in the 1990s, after rethinking
the ethical implications of the practice.
EFFICIENCY AND UTILITY
At present, many scientists and researchers have challenged this therapy as they
ensure that there is no scientific evidence of long-term improvement. It is likely that
positive effects in the mood will occur only for a while.
Conclusive research is still needed to ensure the effectiveness or non-
effectiveness of these therapies.
Lori Marino, a neuroscientist at Emory University (USA), is one of the people who
questioned the efficiency of the treatment for any disorder and warned that the
practice is a risk for dolphins and patients. Like her, other researchers advised
about the danger of swimming with a large animal that can hurt the patient even
without intention, and that dolphins suffer keeping them in an unnatural
environment.
This neuroscientist also says that if people knew how dolphins are captured to take
them into captivity, they would think twice about attending some animal therapy.
Even psychologists say it has no efficacy for any disease and has risks for dolphins
and patients.
In conclusion, definitive studies are still necessary to ensure the effectiveness or
non-effectiveness of these therapies. Although attending to one of these centers
implies knowing the conditions of the dolphins in the dolphinarium (or similar
facilities) and the decision lie with the person.
CONTROVERSY OVER DAT
The theory states that the unconditional love and support that a dolphin offers can
benefit children and other patients by helping them to learn and develop trust.
Many believe that dolphins have human-like emotions and the compassion they
provide increases self-confidence, social skills and academic achievement in
children and others who may be lacking these abilities.
Since its’ introduction, dolphin assisted therapy has become a very controversial
topic in the medical world. Theories such as the one by Nathanson suggest that
this therapy is simply a program that works to modify behavior by rewarding the
patient with dolphin swims for performing the desired function. Others, however,
think that the sonar of the dolphins can trigger the healing process by increasing T-
cells and endorphins.
Common uses for DAT include healing and pain relief as well as increasing
attention span, enhancing learning, and improving motor skills and coordination in
children and adults.
Although no scientists claim to know exactly how it works and there is no scientific
data to back up these claims, dolphin-assisted therapy is increasing in popularity
and is available at several aquariums in the United States. At the Clearwater
Marine Aquarium in Florida, for example, children can participate in several
programs designed to modify their behaviors with rewards such as swimming with
and feeding the dolphins. These programs, however, come with a hefty price tag
that can range anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 for 5 or 6 days.
Those critical of DAT, however, argue that just buying a small pet for the child will
have the same effect and others argue that holding dolphins in captivity for what
they deem “strictly recreational purposes” should be considered cruelty to animals.
Scientists also doubt the ability of a dolphin to sense and target a particular tissue
with their sonar.
While research into the validity of dolphin assisted therapy continues, should be
understood that DAT is not a miracle cure and people should avoid any
organization promising such kind of recovery.