Heidi is only mountain rescue dog in country

Heidi is only mountain rescue dog in country

11 February 2015

A TWO year-old Springer spaniel is ready for rescue missions across Northern Ireland after graduating from a specialist canine training school.

Heidi is the only fully-qualified mountain dog in Northern Ireland after completing a rigorous training programme to enable her to find missing people.

Heidi was trained by the Search And Rescue Dogs Association (SARDA) to search out a human scent, fine-tuning her skills over two years under the careful eye of her owner David Carlile.

David, who is from Ballyhalbert, contacted SARDA about three years ago to express an interest in training a dog through their programme.

Six months later he found Heidi, who he believed had the playful personality and temperament and high energy levels to make a great rescue dog.

David then enrolled Heidi in the rescue programme run by specialist Newcastle trainer Neil Powell.

Two years later and following daily practise sessions, she is now ready for her first rescue mission.

As the only working dog trained in live rescue, with the ability to pick up the scent of another person up to half-a-mile away, David says they are prepared to travel anywhere in Northern Ireland as emergencies arise.

“It can mean the difference between life and death,” he said.

“In 20 minutes on a mountainside, Heidi could cover the amount of distance it would take 20 men a good 12 hours.

“And to her it’s just a game. I am 100% certain if someone was in trouble Heidi would find them. And if it makes the difference to just one person, then that’s what it’s all about.”

Although Heidi has not been called on a rescue mission since qualifying in December, David believes there will be great satisfaction for both of them when they are needed.

“There is great satisfaction in watching Heidi work,” he said.

“The fact that she is working to make a difference to somebody who is hurt or stuck will be even more rewarding.”