Northwest of the Bosnian capital city of Sarajevo, tucked away in a small residential neighborhood, several small buildings house the employees of the Global Training Center of the Norwegian People’s Aid. When you first meet these workers, you immediately notice how loud they actually are. In fact, they are incessantly loud. In the dead of night, you can hear them all the way from the entrance of the mile long road that leads to the NGO’s offices. However, their neighbors don’t mind the noise for two reasons. First, they are national heroes. Second, they’re dogs.
mine-detecting dogs are heroes to the bosnians
Located just outside of the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, the Bosnian offices of the Norwegian People’s Aid has been housing their mine-detecting dogs since 2004 (The land mine clearing agency of the NPA was established in 1992). They have worked in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Jordan.. Since that time, these “hero dogs” working with their human partners, have cleared almost six millions square miles without a single dog or human life lost.
dogs were trained since birth to detect mines
These dogs are all a breed known as Malinois or Belgian sheep dogs. This breed was chosen as a candidate for mine detecting dogs because it is easy to work with, easy to train, adaptable to varying environments, and fiercely intelligent. The dogs are trained rom their birth until eighteen months. About 110 dogs complete their training at the center each year and become active in the field. Then, they are put into service detecting land mines for removal all around the world. Each of the dogs is partnered with their trainer, making up one detection team. The duo of trainer and dog are able to clear about 200 square meters every hour (a feat which would take a dozen land mine removal specialists to duplicate). The dogs usually operate for seven years before they are “retired” to a life of leisure with an adopted owner.
npa is world-recognized for cleaning up war-torn countries
The NPA and their land mine detection teams have been recognized around the world for their efforts in cleaning up war ravaged countries and preventing the needless civilian deaths due to land mines (a world hazard that kills or maims 20,000 to 25,000 people every year).
