Disasters cannot be prevented, but how quickly and effectively a community responds to one can make all the difference, and that readiness has to be built well before an emergency happens, not improvised once it does.
Behind a working K9 search and rescue unit sit real, ongoing needs: above all, the chance for volunteers to train their dogs thoroughly and consistently, preparing both handler and dog for genuine search conditions. That means continuous, specialised training, not a one-off course.
The project
The project gives the K9 unit access to realistic rubble training fields, often distant and difficult to reach, and to specialised stages that sharpen search techniques. It also covers the real costs behind the work: protective equipment for both volunteers and dogs, technological tools such as drones and GPS, and veterinary and health care for the animals themselves.
The project is open to anyone drawn to a demanding, meaningful experience working closely with dogs in service of their own community, with particular attention paid to involving young people. A stronger, better-equipped unit also means more opportunities to rehome dogs from shelters, turning animals once considered vulnerable into genuine community resources, and building respect for animals more broadly along the way.
Who the project is for
The project is aimed at volunteer handlers and their dogs who train and serve within La Chintana Fenix's K9 search and rescue unit, and more broadly at anyone, especially young people, interested in taking on this role for their own community.
Project name: Un fedele amico per noi, una salvezza per loro
Proposing organisation: La Chintana Fenix odv
Area of intervention: Environment & Sustainable Communities
Country: Italy