site.btaInternational Rescue Dog Training Course in Bansko

An international training course for rescue dogs is being held in Bansko, southwestern Bulgaria, until April 14, the municipality of Bansko said on Facebook on Wednesday. Over 30 rescue dog handlers and instructors are training emergency situations such as avalanche accidents, searches for lost people in the mountains, rescue operations when earthquakes and other natural disasters occur, among others. The exercises are being held in the ski area above Bansko, said Atanas Ukov, head of the search dogs’ team of the Mountain Rescue Service with the Bulgarian Red Cross.

All 20 dog handlers from Bulgaria, as well as handlers and instructors from Czechia, Romania and Slovakia are participating in the training course.

The course is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the search dogs’ team of the Mountain Rescue Service. After a four-day training at the avalanche training ground near Mount Todorka, the course participants will be joined by veterans - former rescue dog handlers, and other guests whose professional path and vocation are related to mountain rescue, Bansko Municipality also reported.