Stress responses to simulated avalanche search and rescue operations in military dogs

1. 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.

2. Research Partners LEBA (Laboratory of Ethology and Animal Welfare) Department of Veterinary Medicine, Perugia University IDPA-CNR (ConsiglioNazionaledelleRicerche) 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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?

6. Materials and Methods

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

8. 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

9. Simulated Avalanche Search and Rescue (SASR)Operation

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

11. Simulated Avalanche Search and Rescue (SASR)Operation

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

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

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

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

16. Results and Discussion

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

18. Physiology *

19. Physiology

20. Physiology

21. Physiology *

22. Physiology

23. Physiology

24. Physiology

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

26. 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.

27. 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).

28. 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.

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

30. 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

31. Behavioral assessment • 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.

32. 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

33. 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

34. Aknowledgements We are mostly grateful to all SAGF Handler-dog Units: -

35. Thank you