With the excitement generated by last night’s opening Winter Olympic Ceremonies we find it interesting to discover the role of  the four-legged Olympians. Dogs have been in training to take on their Olympian tasks since 2005. Police dogs will be an integral part of the team helping to maintain security at the 2010 Winter Games.

Dogs from existing squads are being trained for the job as well as some specifically reared for the 2010 team. In addition to Canada’s security dogs, the United States’ Squaw Valley Ski Patrol and Avalanche Rescue Dogs will travel to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics to assist with security. Squaw Valley is no stranger to Olympic operations having hosted its own Olympic Winter Games in 1960. (www.squaw.com)

The dogs will patrol all the Olympic venues around the clock throughout the 2010 Games, and many have already been familiarized with the locations during venue construction. Because of their keen sense of smell, said to be 1,000 times more sensitive than a human’s, the dogs are being specifically trained to recognize materials associated with explosives.

“If we do receive a threat during the Games, dogs will be a part of the investigating team,” said Cpl. Gursharn Bernier of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. They will also be mobilized if there’s a specific threat made against the Olympics.

Dogs will be sporting their own Olympic wear. All security dogs at the Games will be wearing versions of the K9 Storm Vest (www.k9storm.com), protective and functional gear for service dogs made in Canada by retired Winnipeg Police Service canine unit member Jim Slater.

So what makes for the ideal security or rescue dog? According to Squaw Valley trainers, the handlers look for a puppy that unafraid of loud noises, high energy, and playful. As the dogs matures, the handler will start doing simple training exercises where he runs and hides behind a tree. This process is also referred as “runaways”.  Dogs progress to “open coffin” runaways, being covered in snow, and eventually, live burials. We learned that Squaw Valley tests all of its dogs against the CARDA standards, which means any dog on the team is capable of finding a scented piece of clothing buried under 70 centimeters of snow over night in an area 100 meters square.

Moving is often an exciting process but that is not the case for people forced to move from their homes. Being in the pet relocation business during this economy, we cannot help but be concerned about the growing problem of homeowners with pets facing foreclosure. The impact of the current economic crisis and the rise in home foreclosures has led to an increase in abandoned pets left on the streets and doorsteps of shelters across the country. Currently the exact number of foreclosure pets is unknown.

This new wave of “foreclosure pets,” is most likely to impact cats, who are often viewed as more disposable than dogs according to sources. In some extreme cases pets are found in the home, long after the owners have left, left to survive in extreme conditions. Cats are often just left behind to fend for themselves to find food and shelter.

I recently came across two great organizations committed to making a difference for pets left behind and to help assist pet parents in crisis situations. Pets are more than animals; they are family members. When financial hardships force a family into foreclosure, pets are affected by the situation too. The first organization is Realtors for Pets.com (www.realtorsforpets.com) founded by Gina Carr.

As Gina remarks,

“Right now, our furry friends need us more than ever as they are increasingly being left behind in the foreclosure wave that is sweeping across America. People are losing their homes. Landlords aren’t allowing pets. The shelters are over-run. The end result is that wonderful, adoptable dogs and cats, puppies and kittens are being destroyed simply because there are not enough homes.”

Real estate professionals are often the first to know that a pet is at risk of being abandoned or turned into a shelter. Their web site links to a feature with Kristen Butler, Executive Director of RealtorsForPets.com, and Jack, the sweetest little puppy in the world that was rescued by RealtorsForPets.com after being abandoned and left in a trap with no food or water for FOUR DAYS!”

As a pet-centric company ourselves, we were touched by the efforts of those trying to help the less fortunate animals and are pleased to have joined forces with Realtors for Pets in volunteering our pet relocation resources for the Western region of the United States. “Thanks for joining us.  I’m really glad to have you,” replied Gina Carr upon learning of Life Unleashed’s service donation for households with pets facing foreclosure.

“We usually work on the happy side of pet moving and with families that can afford to move or relocate their pet without financial hardship. It is important to realize that not all pets are afforded that luxury so it is a great way for us to be able to give back,” said Life Unleashed’s President, KM Gallagher.

Another such organization is the program started by the Chicago Association of Realtors – REALTORS® to the RESCUE which is a not-for-profit who are joining forces to bring to bear the power of the strong network of Chicago Association of Realtors®  members in the city of Chicago to impact the issue of homeless animals.

Suzy Thomas, founding chairperson focuses on utilizing the large association membership and is dedicated to saving the lives of homeless animals by, promoting the adoption of homeless animals, providing and recruiting volunteer support for shelters and providing numerous existing homeless animal shelters across the city support and cooperation to enhance their organizations’ outreach, missions, goals and objectives.

“If you must move into a situation where you will not be able to take your pet, please do the best thing for your devoted animal and make arrangements for him/her. Never abandon your companion animal or turn it loose; there are always other options, ” advises Realtors to the Rescue. (http://www.realtorstotherescue.com)

Congratulations to them for receiving the 2009 Community Service Award granted by the Chicago Association of REALTORS®.

Check back this week so you can meet our new “staff repawters”.  They will be contributing their thoughts, advice, and provide daily news reporting coverage live from the Bus Stop!