Stress responses to simulated avalanche search and rescue operations in military dogs.

Stress, in addition to some limiting factors, may delay the success of avalanche rescue operations. This is critic situation because there is a precipitous drop in survivability during the first minutes the victim is buried under snow. Aim of this collaborative study was to evaluate how search operations affect dog’s welfare. 14 avalanche dogs were monitored during the search simulation of a buried person (SSBP) in artificial avalanche areas, specially equipped by the Alpine School of the Guardia di Finanza (TR). Heart rate (HR), body temperature (BT) and blood samples were taken at rest the day before the SSBP (T0) and during SSBP, immediately after the descent from a helicopter (T1), the discovery of the buried person (T2) and 2 hours later (T3). Cortisol, NEFA, AST, CK and LDH were assayed. Snow and environmental parameters were also monitored. Data were analysed by ANOVA. Research of dispersed person during the three-day search simulation seemed to have a similar impact on dogs, with the exception of HR and cortisol. All dogs successfully completed their search within 15 minutes. Significant increases with different timing were recorded for HR, BT, NEFA (P<0.01), CK and cortisol (P<0.05). However, changes tended to return to baseline values at T3. In conclusion, despite the extreme climatic and environmental conditions only a temporary physiological response to stress was recorded in the avalanche dogs. This could reflect good training conditions and a positive handler-dog relationship, predisposing dogs to good mental and physical wellbeing also in working situations.