Hero on four paws: Ex-police dog Miko saves senior in heat!

Hero on four paws: Ex-police dog Miko saves senior in heat!

On Monday afternoon, August 11th, a former police dog in Perleberg accomplished more than just one feat. At temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius, Miko, a dedicated German Shepherd, with owner Karina von Kiedrowski at his side, became a true life-saving legend. As he was sniffing along a dirt road with tall grass, he suddenly indicated that he had found something. Karina, who trusted him, followed his instincts and discovered an unconscious 70-year-old man in the grass. This moment could be seen as a twist of fate, because without Miko's fine nose, rescue would have been a long time coming.

Karina spoke to the man, but his reaction was hardly noticeable. She immediately alerted the emergency services, who arrived quickly. According to the regional control center in Potsdam, the rescuers were happy to have acted in time because it was unclear how long the man had been lying there. “Without Miko the man would not have been found,” Karina emphasized proudly. Lifesaver Miko, who only moved in with her eleven weeks ago, has not only left his former job as a police dog behind, but has proven that rescue dogs are irreplaceable even in difficult situations.

The role of rescue dogs

Rescue dogs like Miko have undergone special training that takes around two years. They are the result of careful selection and consistent training. Miko is not only a loyal companion, but also an attentive lifesaver, because among the more than 100,000 people who are saved by rescue dogs in Germany every year, many know about the irreplaceable work of these four-legged talents. Their ability to operate in difficult terrain makes them indispensable, and their areas of application range from area searches to water searches and mantrailing.

The requirements are high: a suitable rescue dog should weigh between 15 and 30 kg and be a maximum of two years old in order to maintain the necessary physical fitness. German Shepherds, Belgian Shepherds, Border Collies and Hovawarts are among the breeds that are particularly in demand. The training itself integrates both the dog and the handler, which means that the person must not only be willing to work, but also be responsible and flexible in order to be able to help in an emergency.

The importance of training

The training goals and elements are varied. Everything is trained, from walking on a leash to off-road mobility to searching in rubble and open areas. The dog handler plays a central role: He must be able to “read” his dog, interpret his facial expressions and make the right decisions in stressful situations. Trust between dog and owner is the be-all and end-all.

The time spent together during training strengthens the bond and leads to a team that “blindly” trusts each other. The relationship is strengthened by the successes, both in training and in real operations, and helps to make optimal use of the dogs' individual strengths. Karina and Miko are the best example of how former police dogs can become real lifesavers.

Thanks to animal heroes like Miko, numerous people in need are rescued and brought to safety. Every use of a rescue dog shows how important it is to continually invest in the training and support of these special animals in order to ensure the best protection in an emergency.