Two Campbell River members of the Canadian Search and Disaster Dog Association took their hounds to Victoria this month for training.
The two were Jason Baxandal, with his K-9 partner Pisco (a Belgian malinois) and Krista Drake with K-9 partner Wrangler (and English springer spaniel).
The two took part in the annual Mission Training Camp, a three-day emergency earthquake simulation event which includes participants from Courtenay, Victoria, Edmonton, Cochrane, Fairview.
As well, there was a handler and dog from FEMA in Seattle and also two members of the Slovenian Search team in Europe.
Victoria USAR and the military were also involved in the event.
The dogs and their partners worked long days in various sites, including old warehouses, office spaces, a collapsed house and also large rock and rubble areas.
Collaborating with other teams is very important in emergency work and is always a great learning experience.