OSAKA - A Kansai-born Australian Shepherd named Ash, now seven years old, has been rigorously trained as a disaster rescue dog, working tirelessly to locate missing people in times of crisis.
In June this year, Ash represented Japan at the World Rescue Dog Competition in Turkey and, with outstanding performance, helped lead the national team to its long-sought first victory. The champion dog and her handler, Nakano, shared their journey of training and trust.
Ash has been by Nakano’s side since she was a two-month-old puppy, becoming more than just family through years of daily training. Their shared goal was to compete at the international event, where Ash excelled in the rubble-search category by being the first to locate a missing person. After two decades of effort, Japan finally secured its first-ever win at the world championships. “It still doesn’t feel real, like a dream,” Nakano said, adding, “I feel so grateful that Ash is mine.”
To demonstrate Ash’s skills, a reporter tested her abilities by hiding inside a large pipe at a simulated disaster site. Relying on the scent of human breath, Ash located the reporter in just 20 seconds, underscoring her extraordinary detection capabilities.
The importance of disaster rescue dogs is growing as natural disasters increase in frequency and severity. Ash and Nakano participated in rescue operations immediately after the Noto Peninsula earthquake, searching difficult-to-access sites like landslide zones and contributing greatly to locating missing individuals. Experts note that a rescue dog working independently away from its handler is vital but extremely challenging.
As Ash approaches eight years old, this year’s competition marked her final appearance, with younger dogs expected to carry on her legacy. Nakano said, “I think it’s about time for her to retire, so from now on I want her to do what she loves most. She absolutely loves searching, and I hope we can keep training and playing together.” The skills and spirit Ash has cultivated will be passed down to future generations of rescue dogs, continuing her impact on disaster response in Japan.
Source: YOMIURI
