Vol. 7 No. 2 (2021)
Papers

Does the sex of the search and rescue (SAR) dog handler affect the work of the rescue team?

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  • Justyna Wojtaś,
  • Damian Zieliński,
  • Mirosław Karpiński
Justyna Wojtaś
Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin
Damian Zieliński
Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin
Mirosław Karpiński
Department of Animal Ethology and Wildlife Management, University of Life Sciences in Lublin
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4454/db.v7i3.138

Published 2022-01-02

Keywords

  • dog’s handler,
  • search and rescue,
  • SAR dogs,
  • cortisol

Abstract

The handler's sex, as well as his personality and individual predispositions, may affect his suitability for work in rescue services. In addition, handler's susceptibility to stress may affect the effects of search and rescue (SAR) dog's work. The aim of the study was to analyze the salivary cortisol level of SAR dog handlers concerning the sex of the handler, and the type and results of rescue examinations. 41 SAR dog handlers participated in the study. Together with their dogs, they participated in open-field and disaster rescue exams. It turned out that the handler's sex did not affect the results of the rescue exams. However, the obtained research results suggest that the sex of the handler may be important when choosing a rescue specialty.

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