Feature:
Meet Shasta: Mt. Bachelor’s Newest Avalanche Rescue Dog
"A 10-week-old golden retriever puppy named Shasta was just announced as the newest member to Mt. Bachelor’s avalanche rescue team.
Mt. Bachelor, located in central Oregon, is one of the largest ski resorts in the U.S. with an elevation of 9,065 feet, 360-degree views from its summit, & a vertical drop of 3,365 feet.
The adorable puppy is getting familiar with the mountain & ski resort, while greeting skiers & snowboarders. She is currently traveling with her Ski Patrol handler, Drew Clendenen, by snowmobile but will soon learn to ride the chairlift.
Shasta is the 16th dog to join the Avalanche Dog Rescue Program, which was founded in 1991. She will join 3 other rescue dogs – Riggins, Mango, & Banyon.
The dogs are trained to work with their handlers to find & rescue people trapped under the snow after an avalanche by using their incredible sense of smell.
'Our 4-legged friends have the tremendous advantage of being able to travel at higher speeds over uneven terrain & use their heightened sense of smell to support rescue efforts led by Ski Patrol,' states Mt. Bachelor.
February storms have reportedly dropped over 85″ of snow on the mountain & it keeps snowing! Safety is the top priority for the team, so rescue dogs & Ski Patrol are on the mountain daily training & on the alert for dangerous conditions.
Shasta is just beginning her training & will spend the next year learning the ropes. By next winter, she will be fully trained & ready to help, should the need arise.
'The end goal is you have a dog that uses its nose to smell someone that could be 10 feet in the ground,' Clendenen said. 'The dog is going to alert us by digging or barking … it’s all about a game.'"
Andrea Powell
goodnews.greatergood.com
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