It is very lively, willing to work, friendly and full of energy during regular training. The four-year-old Aira – a Dutch Shepherd – joined the search and rescue group in the 6th Mazovia Territorial Defence Brigade. It's the first always full-time squad of this kind with a dog.
The search and rescue group K9 in 6 MBOT consists of 7 soldiers and 1 contracted rescue dog. But ultimately, the squad is to consist of 16 people and six to 12 dogs.
– K9 is not a temporary task – it is simply a fresh direction of developing our abilities. This is besides a consequence to the real needs of the modern battlefield and crisis situations. The task of the group is to respond quickly, effectively and save human life," said Colonel Witold Bubak, commander of 6 MBOT.
The four-year-old Aira, a female female Dutch Shepherd, crosses the tracks for subsequent dogs in the brigade. He's the first four-legged associate of the team. She passed the “0” class exam at the Specialist Training Centre in Kuźnia Raciborska, and passed a successful survey at the Military Centre for Pharmacy and Medical Technology in Celestynowo. For now, he specializes in field search. all day we hone her skills during respective decades of training in the forest – explains her guardian and guide, Anna from 6 MBOT. Soon, the dog is to undergo further courses that will prepare him for search operations in the rubble area, as well as guided training, after which he will receive a military degree.
Group coordinator K9 in 6 MBOT emphasizes that the formation was created to support local rescue services erstwhile searching for missing persons and for military action in the event of a threat, and points out that the dog is not just a tool. – He is simply a partner in the service, and the guide is not only a trainer, but primarily a guardian and companion. In all situation, we are a team, and it is up to our cooperation that the success of the action depends on – the officer convinces.
Aira is simply a very natural dog. It's hard to get tired, not just physically. He besides needs an intellectual effort all day. That's why everyday training is so important, during which she gets different tasks – mainly search for things, erstwhile we hide things in the woods, for example, and she must find them – explains the nanny of the bitch and adds that the reward and encouragement for working for her ward is playing with the ball and rewarding the treats. “I wanted both of these motivators to work equally, which builds trust and makes training a pleasance alternatively than a coercion,” he adds. The dog lives with her, they spend all minute together.
The search and rescue squad shall keep constant operational readiness to be able to join police, fire and another emergency services at any time. task K9 in territorial defence troops was formally launched in 2021. – By the end of 2025, 20 certified groups are planned to be created nationwide. 6 The Mazowiecka OT Brigade is 1 of the first to implement this program, explains Captain Dominik Pijarski, spokesperson for 6 MBOT.
