Scarcity of Avalanche Canine Handlers in Switzerland
1st February 2025
Coaching programs for handlers of avalanche canine are struggling to recruit volunteers.
The canine are important to many rescue operations regardless of the advances in expertise.
Within the Valais canton, residence to Verbier, Zermatt and different main resorts, there are round 50 skilled canine handlers.
That’s 30% lower than 20 years in the past.
The coaching course takes a number of days per week for 3 years.
“You need to be out there to enter rescue work,” Yvan Morath, head of coaching for the French-speaking a part of Valais, instructed Swiss public tv, RTS.
“Folks choose to do one thing else.”
“You need to commit your self, attend obligatory coaching periods and cantonal programs.”
These all for taking the course should even have a canine of a sure construct in addition to cross an entry check to fulfill sure necessities.
They want expertise within the mountain setting and be bodily match.
They should have a wonderful relation with their animal.
“Folks suppose that with right now’s expertise, canine are now not related,” added Morath.
“However actually, they continue to be a key element of rescue operations.”
Switzerland. Picture © PlanetSKI
