Quote: Julie Wilson

I was also saddened to learn that most Avie searches are actually recoveries due to the time required to DEPLOY the team. Got to see a presentation of that at DogMeet in Yakima WA this fall....

I am very interested in Avie work, but fully realize the EXTRA effort the handler and dog need to make in order to be properly prepared. It stuns me actually. You Avie teams do great work, which is why I am such a trusting fool....

I am very lucky to work for a commercial opperation as well as being available for SAR and police callouts. Having my dog kenneled at the top of a mountain that has ample avi terrain as well as adjacent backcountry gives me a chance at live recoveries that your average SAR volunteer would never have in the case of responding to an avalanche.

Working in the avalanche industry also gives me a distinct advantage over the average SAR avi dog handler that has to learn and practice avalanche rescue and terrain and snowpack evaluations on weekends. I get paid to do it. Most avi dog handlers in Canada are in the avalanche industry.

They take avalanche people and make them dog handlers...not dog handlers and make them avalanche people. The ski touring/mountaineering skills/winter backcountry skills (snowshoeing not acceptable) as well as the avalanche course prerequisits for CARDA are quite extensive so it favors those in the industry.

Since you are only in WA, if you are ever up my way e-mail me! Love visiting with dog folk! I would be happy to bury you in a hole for the dog

Thanks...THIS time I will bring my coffee in with me. Last time I had my headlamp and a good book....
You are so LUCKY to get paid for that!