Canine lifeguards doggie paddle to the rescue

Hundreds of specially trained dogs form Italy's corps of canine lifeguards, deployed each summer to help swimmers who get into trouble in the nation's popular seas. Unlike their human counterparts, these lifedogs can easily jump from helicopters and speeding boats to reach swimmers in need of a rescue. With millions flocking to Italy's crowded beaches each summer, the Italian Coast Guard says it rescues about 3,000 people every year _ and their canine helpers are credited with saving several lives.

They leap from helicopters or speeding boats, bringing aid to swimmers who get into trouble off Italy's popular beaches.

For these canine lifeguards, the doggie paddle does just fine.

Hundreds of specially trained dogs from Italy's corps of canine lifeguards are deployed each summer to help swimmers in need of rescue.

These "lifedogs" wear a harness or tow a buoy that victims can grab, or a raft they can sit on to be towed back to shore, and unlike their human counterparts, they can easily jump from helicopters and speeding boats to reach swimmers in trouble.

It takes three years for the canines to reach expert rescue status, and currently 300 dogs are fully trained for duty, said Roberto Gasbarri, who coordinates the Italian School of Canine Lifeguards program at a center outside of Rome in the seaside town of Civitavecchia.

"Dogs are useful in containing the physical fatigue of the lifeguard, to increase the speed at which casualties are retrieved, to increase the security of both the casualty and of the lifeguard," Gasbarri said.

"The dog becomes a sort of intelligent lifebuoy. It is a buoy that goes by itself to a person in need of help, and comes back to the shore also by himself, choosing the best landing point and swimming through the safest currents," he said.

The Civitavecchia center is one of a dozen around the country for the school founded more than 20 years ago in the northern province of Bergamo by Ferruccio Pilenga, whose first trainee was his own Newfoundland.

The school will train any breed, as long as they weigh at least 30 kilograms (66 pounds), but Labradors, Newfoundlands and golden retrievers are most commonly used because of their natural instinct for swimming. Each dog works in tandem with a human lifeguard, who also acts as the animal's trainer.

"Being retrievers, they set out to pick up anything we tell them, be it a human being, an object, or a fish, and they bring it back to the shore," said lifeguard Monia Luciani. "They do not associate it with a physical activity, but it is rather a game for them."

Our thanks to the Associated Press for this story.

Pet Of The Week

Hope D.

 Hi, My name is Hope. I got my name beacause my Mom adopted me around the Christmas Holidays. I was just a little tiny thing when she took me home, but she had another dog at home "Sable" & he thought I was just great! He took me under his wing and showed me around and taught me all I needed to know about how to wrap Mom around my little paw! Mom had been bringing Sable to Best Friends for a long time, so now I get to come & stay too. As you can see, I just love to roll around in the grass. Ahh, Summer....

Pet of the week 4/24/10

Beau A.

                                

Hello My name is Beau. I am a Australian Shepherd. This is my first time staying at Best Friends. You would have thought that I would have been a little scared but I was so excited to see everyone and meet new friends. I am still very young and have lots of energy. I love to go outside and run around which I get to do with one of my new Best Friends. Thanks for all the fun while I was here.

Wanna come to my Party?

What's the best way to celebrate a birthday? Set up a great party, of course. However, if it's going to be for your dog, the mechanics will be a little bit different. If you have no idea where to begin or how exactly to do it, here are some tips for you:


1. Choose your Guest List. If you're thinking of inviting other dogs, then you'll need to invite their owners too. Knowing how many are going to attend will give you an idea how much money you have to set aside for the party. Also, you will need to think carefully about the behavior of the dogs you plan to invite, as you don't want to mix dogs with poor social skills. You don't want to turn the event into a complete disaster.

2. Choose your Venue. You can use your own back yard if it is fenced and large enough, or if you prefer, inside your own home. Don't want your party outside? Don't want 20 dogs running through your own home? Best Friends has the PERFECT solution! We have a large indoor, (available on weekends only) climate controled room at our facility that is great for party times! Best Friends can also provide you with tables, chairs, lambs woolies for the pets to rest on, water bowls and our dedicated staff can even help you plan the party. Call 317-841-8182 for more information and room/party rates.

3 . Prepare and send out invitations. When you've decided on the venue, time, and guest list, you're now ready to send out invitations. There are actually dog party organizers who can help you with the designing and sending of invites, as well as with the organizing of the occasion. But if you think you have the skills to do so, you can just use any free templates from the internet and add your own personal touch.

4. Determine the kinds of activities you're going to do on his birthday. All food and no play can still make a birthday party a little boring. That's why you need to come up with a list of activities that will liven up the occasion. Now, since it's not just going to be dogs that will be around, it would be great if you can plan out games that would be fun for both the pet owners and the small dogs. Relay games are great examples, since dogs love to run and compete with the others.

5. Doggy Bags and Prizes. What's a game without a prize? To keep everyone motivated and always on their feet, tease them with great goodies and prizes. Dog toys are a favourite. Dog owners, on the other hand, may receive leashes or harnesses with a small message from the celebrant printed on them.

Lastly, don't forget the cake. There are specialty dog bakeries who can create delicious-tasting layered cakes for your pets. Cap the entire occasion with a blowing of an edible beef flavoured candle.

contributed: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverly_Maniago

Meet the staff

MEET THE STAFF

Once a week we will be profiling a member of our staff so that when you do come in for boarding, grooming, training, or daycamp you will feel like you are already a part of this wonderful family!

This week we are "meeting" Sherri Timmons, DayCamp Counselor.

Sherri lives at home with her husband, two children (one of which is grown and has left the nest), 6 cats and the three dogs you see here. The little one is Milo. He is a wonder dog who manages to get around really well, even on three legs! Then we have Josie (the bigger collie mix) and Sandy. All three of them come to work with Sherri during the day and either hang out in DayCamp with Sherri or in a kennel suite where they can nap undisturbed.

Sherri enjoys reading, gardening and taking a nap in her spare time. When her and her family want to go out for dinner she prefers to go to the Olive Garden. She enjoys watching comedies with her family or when she wants some *down time* to herself she reads her books on animals.

Sherri has been doing DayCamp for dogs for about 8 years now and has been with Best Friends for over two of those eight years. She is a much loved asset to our DayCamp program here. As you can see the dogs certainly love her! How hard can it be to spend your days playing with or cuddling with everyone's favorite family pet? As we all know there is definite work to running the DayCamp program, it but the rewards you get from their unconditional love makes up for any down side there might be. (dog-doo scooping) She also likes the fact that working here means she can also work with some of our cats that we have in.

When weather permits, Sherri likes to take the dogs outside to our fenced in play yards. Everyone likes to get out in the fresh air! During our warm months she makes sure the doggie pools are put to good use. Year round you will find her either playing kong with our Golden's cuddling with our little ones or laughing over the antics of our younger members. We also hold a DayCamp party once a month, (theme's vary) where Sherri keeps them busy with fun and games, we take pictures (sometimes of your pet *dressed* for the occasion) which of course you get to keep, and each pet gets to take home a goodie bag filled with treats.

Sherri is always on the look out for a prospective new addition to the DayCamp program. She often attends events for Best Friends so watch for her. And please, when you see her talk to her about the program. It is a terrific way for your dog to become a social king or queen, have a lot of fun and best of all, go home tired at the end of the day! And tell Sherri everyone from Best Friends loves having here her with us.

Autumn Leaves Doggy Day Camp Party!

Having Fun Outside at Doggy Day Camp!