f life leaves you feeling lost and buried, you’re not alone.
One dog’s mission is to find you, should you ever be lost and buried in an Aspen, Colorado avalanche.
Early morning, as a forest’s blue shadows stretch across the slopes of Snowmass Village, Benji hitches a ride to work — on a snow patroller’s back.
The five-month-old golden retriever is Snowmass’ newest recruit: a future, hopeful avalanche dog-in-training.
Benji’s owner, ski patroller Louise Zemlicka, has been acclimating him to life on the slopes as part of the Aspen Snowmass’ Dog Patrol Program. And Benji’s taken to it, galloping along a snow-dusted run as if he always belonged there.
But dashing through the snow between his trainer’s skis is only part of his training. Exposed to loud noises and padding rough terrain, Benji must stay calm and focused. He must remain still while sitting atop swaying ski lifts and toboggans barreling through wind and whipping flurries. All while donning a vest and goggles.
Such is Benji’s curriculum during his intensive search-and-rescue training with the Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment Program — learning how to find lost skiers in the snow. A trained avalanche dog can sweep a 100 x 100 yard site within 20 minutes. Seven-year-old Gracie, a veteran avalanche rescuer at Monarch Mountain, can sniff out multiple buried subjects over a one-acre plot in under six minutes.
Should Benji successfully complete his training, he’ll be ready to deploy at age two. Five months in, Benji appears to be on track.
“Our goal is to get him certified as an avalanche dog,” trainer Louise told ABC News. “And he will be searching for people involved in an avalanche rescue situation.”
Other young dogs at Sundance Mountain Resort, Chopper and Toby, are also undergoing rigorous training to join the patrol pack. While German Shepherds, Goldens, and Labs are frequently used, a dog’s candidacy for rescue work is most strongly influenced by the individual’s traits and trainability.
Benji and others like him live to get lost people found.
Follow Benji’s progress on his official Instagram: @benji_to_your_rescue