Words by Smiley Team
Dogs continue to amaze us. Most recently, in Italy, where there's a team of 400 canines who are specially trained to patrol beaches and work as lifeguards. They’re called the Scuola Italiana Cani Salvataggio – or SICS – which translates to the Italian Water Rescue Dogs.
The school was founded in 1989 by Ferruccio Pilenga with his dog, a Newfoundland Mas. And now, in 2021, the team has reached 400 units – each with one dog and one trainer.
The SICS is an volunteer-lead association, which is recognised by the Italian Ministry and military organisations. The dogs are trained to watch over some of the country’s busiest beaches – and some of them even leap from helicopters into the sea to rescue swimmers who may be at risk.
[Read More: These dogs protect wildlife and wind turbine farms]
It takes around 18 months to train these dogs up as lifeguards with basic training, says the team. After this, their training becomes more advanced, allowing them to take part in more risky techniques, like jumping from helicopters.
On average, these dogs are said to save around 20-30 lives each year.
Their contributions to the country were made clear recently, on August 8, when three dog units helped to rescue three families of swimmers who got into trouble in the water due to high winds and waves at sea.
[Read More: RAF dogs honoured with animals' OBE]
The swimmers – a group which included eight children between the ages of six and 12 – were around 330 feet from shore at the beach in Sperlonga, between Naples and Rome.
Thankfully, someone was able to capture the attention of the dog units nearby and three dogs, named Eros, Mya and Mira, brought the group of people to shore. And it only took them 15 minutes.
What an inspirational bunch of pups!
To find out more about the Italian Water Rescue Dogs, visit the website.
Image credit: Scuola Italiana Cani Salvataggio (SICS)
