RESCUE GROUP FORMED

As one door closes for avalanche rescue dogs in the Queenstown and Wānaka area, another one is already wide open.

After 13 years, the volunteer organisation Aspiring Avalanche Dogs will close, in a move that will see local avalanche dog handlers join up with a newly formed national entity, Search And Rescue Dogs Avalanche New Zealand (Sarda).

Wānaka-based avalanche dog handler Matt Gunn said a “number of factors” were behind the change, chief among them being the ongoing search for funding.

“Funding across all search and rescue sectors in New Zealand is getting harder to come by.

“Everything is getting tighter,” he said.

The creation of Sarda would also see the country’s avalanche dog handlers break away from Land Search and Rescue New Zealand (LandSAR), of which all handlers had been members for the past 18 years.

Mr Gunn said the moment represented a “really exciting development”.

“This represents a new chapter for avalanche dogs in the country.

“We’re now in charge of our own destiny, if you like.

“I’ve had long-held visions of being a part of a team that creates a world-leading avalanche search dog service.

“With our new group we’ve certainly got the potential capacity to do that.”

Sarda’s fundraising campaign was already well under way, as the non-profit organisation sought to raise $175,000 to re-equip their 17 dog and handler teams.

The group was also looking for a sponsor to assist with less-visible costs, such as insurance cover for the dogs.

Mr Gunn said Aspiring Avalanche Dogs had always received “massive” support from the community, and he hoped this legacy would continue with Sarda.

“It’s really important that we are able to have an opportunity to communicate with them [the public].

“Not only to give thanks, but to make them aware that all of their support will be transferred to the new organisation, and we’re hoping that people will continue to support the new organisation.”

Sarda’s teams had already found themselves put to the test this winter, with three of their avalanche dog teams deployed to the Doolan’s back-country avalanche event behind The Remarkables last Saturday.

Avalanche dog handler Cait Hall, who attended the incident with her dog Rosko, said this season’s weather was creating a heightened avalanche danger.

“I think it’s really tricky because it’s a problem that we don’t deal with often in New Zealand.

“We typically get snow but then because of our climate … the wetness will come and rain through and doesn’t get rid of the snow but it can help heal the problems like that.”

Mr Gunn said due to the ongoing avalanche risks, he hoped Sarda would be able to help people “switch on to making good decisions”.

“The people who are going into the back country, most of them are educated.

“Most of them know to go to the Mountain Safety Council avalanche advisory [website].

“But it’s the lesser percentage of people who follow those people — they are the potential victims.”

While the dogs served an important search and rescue purpose, Mr Gunn said their talent for drawing people in to deliver pats provided the perfect opportunity to educate people on the importance of mountain safety.