VRA help Echo to be able to save lives

Laura is with VRA NSW Search Dogs, and based regionally with the Coleambally VRA unit.

Laura said she adopted ‘Echo’ - who she described as a four year-old ‘spare parts’, mixed breed dog - from Wodonga Dog Rescue. She said he had been raised in a “rough situation”.

When she joined the Coly VRA last year, it also provided an opportunity for ‘Echo’ to also play a role.

He passed the control test in September last year, and is now a trainee search dog.

VRA search dogs can be trained for cadaver and live find searches, underwater or on land.

‘Echo’ is a live find dog, training to find a human scent or any person breathing in the area.

Currently the only mixed breed NSW trainee, Laura said a high drive is a key requirement for any qualified search dog.

She said the bush search exercise in Deni was helpful for ‘Echo’.

“It was good to be somewhere different.

“There were brand new helpers with different scents, broadening human scents and new people for ‘Echo’ to find.

“It’s also important ‘Echo’ has a lot of exposure to different distractions, smells, noises, plantlife and wildlife like kangaroos and birds.”

The Deniliquin landscape and volunteers challenged ‘Echo’ and Laura with new but very real scenarios.

“There were some members up a tree about one meter, and others hiding in gullies,” Laura said.

“Kids can climb up trees, and dogs aren’t used to looking up that far.

“It means if he does qualify to be a search dog, he’s done that.

“The Deni squad were great. They had novel hiding locations, provided good distractions - so much exposure for ‘Echo’.

“It tests his physical and mental stamina. Both have been building up, and they’ve come a long way.”

Laura said a key part of the training is rewarding ‘Echo’.

“He does everything for his squeaky ball - any ball as long as it squeaks.

“It is also about staging it correctly.

“We’re been increasing search times in five minute increments, but you always want the dog to win.”