The new canine unit of the State Emergency Service is designed to strengthen the ability of rescuers to respond quickly and save people in the most difficult emergency situations.
The unit currently consists of two highly trained service dogs — a Belgian Malinois named Cindy and a German Shepherd named Navara. Each of them has undergone special, multi-stage training and is ready to perform tasks in the most difficult conditions.
In the context of constant shelling and destruction of civilian infrastructure in Donetsk Oblast, the rapid and accurate detection of people under rubble is critically important. Service dogs have a unique ability to detect the scent of life even in places where access is difficult or dangerous for rescuers. It is the work of four-legged rescuers that significantly reduces the time it takes to find victims, which directly increases the chances of rescue.
In addition, dog handlers are involved in searching for people who have disappeared in forest areas. In such situations, the speed and accuracy of the dogs' work is indispensable, as every minute can be decisive.
Cindy and Navara train daily—it is the regularity of their training that allows them to maintain a high level of concentration, endurance, and readiness for work.
Four-legged rescuers are not just service animals. They are loyal assistants whose skills, endurance, and instincts make them an integral part of rescue operations. Their work is invaluable, and the presence of this unit significantly enhances the capabilities of Donetsk region rescuers.
Based on materials from the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Donetsk region