When people go missing, work begins that hardly anyone sees
When a person does not come home, a period of hope and fear begins for their relatives. For the BRH Rettungshundestaffel Magdeburg-Elbeland e.V., this moment means being ready for action in the shortest possible time. The team consists of experienced dog handlers who take on responsibility together and help on a voluntary basis. With great patience and perseverance, they train their dogs over many months to become reliable search partners. The teams support the police in the region and are on call around the clock.
Their missions take them into forests, across fields and into vast areas. Often, they are searching for elderly people who have lost their bearings, children who have not returned home, or people in emotional distress. Some missions are difficult to talk about, while others end with unexpected relief and make the team smile despite the seriousness of the situation. One member recalls a search in which a dog found a cyclist who had only disappeared briefly into the bushes. A small incident that shows how seriously the dogs work. They search for every person in the area, without exception.
Training, time gained and encounters that inspire courage
It often takes more than two years before a dog is reliably ready for action. Training takes place in all weathers and at all times of the day. Rain, frost, darkness and rough terrain are an integral part of the preparation. This is because emergency calls do not adhere to working hours and teams often have to be deployed in the middle of the night. Training involves much more than just working with the dog. Many members are also involved in public relations, organising training sessions, maintaining the dog training area or taking on tasks on the board. They invest time, energy and heart into a task that demands a lot from them, but also gives a lot back.
When asked what motivates them to put in so much effort, the BRH team replies, ‘When the missing person is found during a mission.’ A moment that justifies everything. A sentence that gives an idea of the emotional responsibility the team bears.
In conversation, you quickly sense how strong the community within the association is. Many originally came because they were looking for a meaningful task to do together with their dog. They stayed because they can rely on each other and because they are united by a common mission. The relationship between dog and human is something very special. Trust, joy and cooperation characterise the team.
Costs that are hardly visible from the outside
Those who only know the rescue dog team from the media often have no idea how many resources are needed to make operations possible in the first place. Operational clothing, GPS devices, digital radio, a command vehicle, generators and equipment for the dog training area are part of the basic equipment. In total, costs of around 60,000 euros have been incurred in recent years. Everything is financed by donations.
GPS devices in particular are indispensable, as they accompany every search and provide security for the team. Our Christmas donation will go towards the purchase of five new devices in the coming year so that the unit can continue to work reliably.
The members of the BRH unit are on call at all times and perform their duties entirely on a voluntary basis. Their commitment can save lives in an emergency. At the same time, the training and technical requirements are high. With our donation, we want to raise awareness of their work and give them support that makes their everyday work easier.
Looking ahead
The association has clear goals for the coming years. New recruits are urgently needed, and a new relay vehicle will also be necessary soon. In addition, the number of dogs ready for action should remain stable, because only with sufficient teams can search areas be completely covered.
Anyone who would like to support this valuable work can do so in two ways. A donation helps to secure equipment and training. Anyone who would like to actively participate is also welcome. Even people without their own dog can become part of the team, for example as an operational assistant or in organisational areas.
The requirements for active participation are reliability, motivation and a willingness to participate regularly in training and operations. Physical fitness and your own car are important, as operations often take place at short notice. Prospective dog handlers also receive training in radio technology, orientation and operational procedures.
A statement from the team sums up what this task entails:
‘It's incredible what you can achieve and create when you work together as a team in a trusting and effective manner. The many hours you invest become meaningless when you are finally on a mission with your dog and your search team assistant and you are able to complete your search task safely and effectively.’