Stress responses to simulated avalanche search and rescue operations in military dogs Levis V., Barbato O., Guelfi G., Lolli C., Zasso R., Cagnati A., Di Mari W., Alciati S., Santoro M., Tartaglia R., Diverio S.

Research Partners LEBA (Laboratory of Ethology and Animal Welfare) Department of Veterinary Medicine, Perugia University IDPA-CNR (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche) Venice University Arabba Avalanche Centre ARPAV : Agency for the protection of the environment of the Veneto Region Guardia di Finanza (GdF) S.A.G.F. = GdF Alpine Rescue Force

The problem There is the need to identify the limiting factors affecting avalanche dogs’ performance and welfare which could lead to failure of search and rescue operations

The problem Stress in military dogs may delay the success of avalanche rescue operations. This is a critical situation because there is a precipitous drop in survivability during the first minutes the victim is buried under snow.

Aim of the study Is the avalanche search and rescue work stressful for the dogs? Is this stress posing a risk to military dogs’ welfare?

Materials and Methods

Weather and snow conditions Assessment of the physiological response to stress Behavioral Qualitative Assessment

Simulated Avalanche Area (SAA) (about one hectare, at 2170m altitude) 3 areas (50m x 30m) 3 disperse victim pits (1.5m x 50cm x 1m) Helicopter transport (about 5-6 min) to SAA 17 SAGF Units

Simulated Avalanche Search and Rescue (SASR)Operation

Experimental design T2 T3 2 hours after the rescue Immediately after rescue Search start point Simulated search and rescue operation of a buried victim T1 Blood HR T°C T0 Baseline at rest Blood HR T°C Blood HR T°C Blood HR T°C Behaviour

Simulated Avalanche Search and Rescue (SASR)Operation

Experimental design T2 T3 2 hours after the rescue Immediately after rescue Search start point Simulated search and rescue operation of a buried victim T1 Blood HR T°C T0 Baseline at rest Blood HR T°C Blood HR T°C Blood HR T°C Behaviour

Physiological responses Rectal Body Temperature Heart Rate Cortisol Non Esterified Fatty Acid (NEFA) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) Creatine kinase (CK) Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

Dog’s characteristics rated by the SAGF military trainers at the end of the SASR operation Qualitative Behavior Assessment

Weather conditions Air temperature from -8,5°C to -17°C Air Humidity from 28 to 37% Wind from 3 to 7 m/s “Wind Chill” up to -29°C

Results and Discussion

All SAGF dogs concluded the simulated avalanche search and rescue trial within 15 minutes.

Physiology *

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Are SAGF avalanche military dogs in a state of distress during the simulated avalanche search and rescue operation?

Physiological responses Significant modifications in physiological parameters were induced by the SASR operation. However, only CK and NEFA at T1 showed values outside the reference range for healthy dogs. Physiological changes progressively tend to decrease until recovery in some parameters after two hours from rescue. Sera cortisol showed a slower decline.

Physiological responses Physiological changes indicate the activation of a response to stress probably induced by additional factors (helicopter transport, pulling to the ground, search and rescue exercise).

Physiological responses However, changes are moderate and limited over the time, notwithstanding the extreme harsh environmental conditions. SAGF dogs quick recover and high performance could indicate the possibility to safely use them in multiple search and rescue operations.

Qualitative Behavior Assessment Agreement Kappa Test among the Handler (H) and the two Observers (O1 and O2)

Behavioral assessment The agreement among the opinions on dog performance during search of its handler and the two observers is poor. However, most of the times overall scores tend to slip by one category, indicating that differences are not large. -individual opinion -better training

Not a particular behaviour seems to be related to the search speed of the dogs. The only exception is signalling: the more intensively dogs do it, the faster they find the person. Further research is needed to investigate if good signalling is predictive of good performance in finding disperse people. Behavioral assessment

Conclusions SASR work does not seem to negatively affect the welfare of dogs, though it involves physical and psychological efforts The parameters investigated were useful indicators of the stress induced during the simulated avalanche, missing person, search exercise

Aknowledgements For the Guardia di Finanza: Col. Stefano Murari Col. Fabio Mannucci All the SAGF Handlers For the LEBA: Dr. Chiara Lolli Martina Iaboni For the Photos: Giovanni Barbieri – Scuola Alpina Predazzo

Aknowledgements We are mostly grateful to all SAGF Handler-dog Units: - HandlersDogs Gaio M.Sara and Luna Ganz R.ARES Bertinelli A.OMEN Crucco V.FLYING Terroni M.IKO and TAZ Tronco F.AGOR Zannin F.TALOT Gatti G.SADON Marri M.SAR Fazzolari N.UFOR Minotti F.PAB Casera M.TAPPO Simoni M.BILLY and DUCKI Olier D.TERRY

Thank you