The primary function of dogs in the Emergencies Ministry is to locate people trapped under debris in collapsed buildings and structures and also in forested areas. A Labrador Retriever named Dark has been nominated for the international award titled as My Affectionate and Necessary Animal, unofficially referred to as the Shaggy Oscar. Over his five years of service, this dog has not only demonstrated an exceptional sense of smell but has also participated in numerous search and rescue operations. How are such dogs trained? What enables them to accurately locate people under rubble or deep in the woods? Why has the Labrador become a symbol of hope for the lost? A BelTA correspondent visited the canine service of the ZUBR National Special Response Team to observe the work of rescuers and meet the four-legged professional whose dedication touches hearts.
Dark and the Emergencies Ministry of Belarus have been nominated in two categories: ‘Responsible for those…” (for services to animal protection) and "Our Brothers" (for animal heroism).
"Before Dark joined the service, he had to go through a selection process. Not every dog can serve with us. It must not be aggressive or fearful and must quickly adapt to unfamiliar environments,” explained Sergei Yazinsky, a canine inspector at the canine service center for search and rescue operations and firefighting of the ZUBR National Special Response Team at the Emergencies Ministry. 
The dog perfectly met these strict criteria. He saved his first human life at just one year old by finding an unconscious mushroom picker in a forest of Myadel District. Since then, the geography of his heroic deeds has extended far beyond the country.
“Dark is a search and rescue dog who works both in forests and on rubble. In 2023, we traveled to the Republic of Türkiye to assist in earthquake relief efforts, and in 2025, to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar,"| Sergei Yazinsky noted. For his participation in emergency response operations, Dark has been awarded medals.
The Labrador breed was not chosen for this work by chance. “Labradors show no aggression towards people. In addition to our main duties, we visit nursing homes, orphanages, and preschools. These events allow children to get to know the four-legged rescuers up close,” Sergei Yazinsky said. Such meetings help children develop communication skills and reduce anxiety.
It turned out he was wrong. During a second sweep, the missing person was found exactly where Dark had initially been leading. “After that, I started trusting the dog completely. No matter the terrain,” the rescuer admitted.
The dogs’ training is as realistic as possible and incredibly varied. Besides working on actual abandoned sites, they undergo special preparation for work in hard-to-reach areas, including paradrop insertion. “The helicopter hovers at an altitude of 25-50 meters. The canine specialist and the dog descend together using a rope,” the dog handler explained.
The unit’s base has a training course consisting of various elements: barriers of different heights, a slide, a ladder, a swing, and a tunnel. Nearby, a simulation of debris made from slanted slabs and uneven surfaces has also been created so the dogs are not afraid to work in an unstable environment.
The representative from the ZUBR National Special Response Team is nominated for My Affectionate and Necessary Animal Award for the first time. “If we were invited, it means we’re doing everything right,” Sergei Yazinsky said.
Currently, public voting is underway on the award’s official website, where Dark is listed under number 15 and the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry under number 27. The first stage lasts until 16 February, after which the finalists will be determined. Everyone can support the heroic dog and the Belarusian rescuers.
BelTA.
Follow us on:
