How Dogs Are Participating in the 2010 Olympics

Photo Resource: Winnepeg Sun

For the Vancouver Olympics, some special workers will be standing by the sidelines. While fans are seeing Shaun White flipping on the halfpipe or the hockey teams competing in the medal finals, these dogs are ready to go. Here's what they will be doing:

Avalanche Dogs

With the terrain in Vancouver, avalanches are a common occurrence. So much so, that dogs have been trained to rescue people when they happen. All rescue dogs are certified by CARDA which stands for the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association. In order to be certified, one of the requirements is dogs must be able to find items buried 70cm (28 inches).

Ben and Murphy, Photo from VOA

Dogs have such a strong sense of smell, they can cover an 100km kilometer (62 miles) area in thirty minutes compared to humans which would take four hours. As part of their job, these ski patrol dogs are taught to ride on a chair lift, ride on a helicopter and other types of vehicles.

Security Dogs

Security dogs will be on hand to ensure the safety of the athletes and the spectators who will be cheering them on. The Royal Canadian Mountain Police will be providing the dogs to detect potential explosives if need be and keep everyone safe. Most dogs doing this are either German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.

A local businessman will make sure that the dogs stay protected as well. Jim Slater who makes K9 Storm Vests is providing custom-made vests for the dogs. These dogs are made of Kevlar which helps repel bullets, knives and explosives. He came up with the idea 12 years ago when the jail riots were happening in Headingley, Manitoba.

Let's Discuss

Are any of you going to see the Vancouver Olympics in person this year? What's your favorite events? Mine has been the ice skating as well as the skiing and snowboarding.

For More Information

Avalanche Dogs On Alert
Q&A with the RCMP
Olympic Guard Dogs Sport Winnepeg Made Arnour

Related Posts

K9 Cops

Have a great day everyone.

Dogs In The News: An Angel Of A Dog

A Cold, Winter Day

It happened in a small town named Boston Bar, British Columbia which is located 200km (125 miles) northeast of Vancouver. Eleven-year-old Austin Forman was walking out to get firewood with his dog Angel. Across the yard was a cougar that was charging the young boy. Angel, his golden retriever noticed this and charged the cougar.

Austin ran inside to tell him mom what happened and he was talking so fast she needed him to repeat what he was saying. After talking to her father-in-law, she called 911. The police arrived in time to see Angel under the porch with the cougar's jaws wrapped around her head.

The officer fired two rounds into the cougar's rear end, but the cougar continued its attack. The officer closed in to within five feet and shot the cougar, killing it.
Even after it was killed, the cougar's jaws were still clenched on Angel's face, Forman said. Angel was silent for a few moments but then took in a big gasp of air and got up.



Forman said Angel was recovering Sunday with a local animal caregiver. She has numerous puncture wounds around her head and neck, as well as a swollen eye.

Both are very lucky to have survived. This valiant dog risked her life to save this boy. If you would like to read this news story in its entirety please visit the CTV website.

Let's Discuss

So, have you known anyone who have been in a similar situation. As a dog owner, the biggest predator, I've come into contact with is a skunk. Still, with living closer to a forest preserve, coyotes and foxes are something to be aware of, especially with smaller dogs.

Hope you all have a great week.