Avalanche Dogs

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

I don't know why I never thought of this before.  My favorite things in the whole world are skiing and mountains (especially back country and helicopter skiing) and dogs (especially dog training).  Somehow I turned out to be a big city lawyer,  but I've been doing both of those as long as I can remember and can certainly hold my own and both.  Both skiing/mountains and dog training have always come naturally for me. We we go heli-sking, everyone else would be in the bar drinking and I would be up in the room with the guides learning how they pick the runs for the following day.

I know there are ski patrols and other people out there whose job it is to train and work with avalanche rescue dogs and rescue people .  Does anyone have any ideas on how to get into that line of work? I would drop everything in a minute and move anywhere if somehow it were possible.  I honestly cannot think of anything more fulfilling to do with my time on this planet.  I am 37 so I realize I'm a bit on the old side for a change like that,  but I bet I wouldn't be the first person to do it as a second career.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have no idea. It would be a brave step and I suspect far less financially secure? I wonder whether anyone has a full time job doing this. But if you are serious I would guess the web has all kinds of ways to explore the subject. You could contact ski resorts in the areas likely to use such services and talk to them. Perhaps there are ven organizations for this sort of search and rescue prsonnel.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Regarding money, I would imagine so - but since the recession there hasn't been any financial security in my current profession either.  In the past six months I've lost my mother to cancer, separated from my fiancee and been blessed with an awesome little dog.  All of which makes me realize that life is short and whatever I do it's not going to be out of fear or financial or any other kind of insecurity.  I have been blessed with a first-rate education, traveled a lot and enjoyed nice things over the years - but at this point my tastes have gotten pretty simple and could be more so in a different environment.  Who knows, maybe I could meet someone that feels the same and somehow we could make it work.  Also I recently started my own firm after years at several big firms.  Maybe there is less security, maybe not - but regardless I love what I'm doing and while it is a little scary, I would do it again in a heartbeat because I am finally able to take care of people the way I believe they deserve to be taken care of with charging ridiculous fees and all the bureaucratic nonsense.  The technology has gotten so good and inexpensive that I believe I will soon be able to live or at least spend a lot of time and work from somewhere beautiful in the mountains, where I can ski and the dogs can run around free in the snow. The only thing I can think of that would better would be something like training avalanche dogs and helping rescue people.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to hear that the last six months have been difficult but glad that your dog has helped. It sounds unlike you have thought about what's important to you and that's great. I surely understand about the bureaucratic nonsense. Good luck in your quest.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Aw, thank you for the kind words.  Yes, it's been a bumpy ride but I am in a good place now.  I think this is how you become a better, stronger and more mature person.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I might pour a little cold water on your dream, but before that congratulations on starting your own firm.  My husband finally started his own firm (not lawyering) nearly four years ago at the age of 63!  He has never been happier.

 

All that I have ever read about avalanche rescue dogs is that they are volunteer people with their own certified and trained dog.  We have a group of mountain rescue dogs here in the San Gabriel Valley, to find people in the San Gabriel Mountains who are lost.  These people are volunteers and have their own dogs that they have trained.  They all have day jobs too.

Next time you go skiing take an extra day to connect with the local network of rescue dogs and talk to them, so you get a feel for what it is all about.

 

You could move to a ski area, work as a lawyer and train a dog to become a snow rescue dog.  In LA there is a fairly long list to get a dog that is at least considered to be possibly trainable for mountain rescue work.

 

 

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Thanks Maryann!  That is anything but cold water.  It hadn't occurred to me that it was something you could do as a volunteer but that would be amazing.  In fact that would be much better than doing it for a living - I just assumed that must be how it was done.  You've given me some ideas of people to talk to as well.  I'm not worried about finding the right pup to train - I have researched this part quite and bit and have her all but picked out :)

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

The other thing I forgot about is that at least at least some ski areas have volunteer ski patrol positions.  Maybe some of those include avalanche dog handlers.  So exciting to think about!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Wow - you are on fire!  That's what it takes! The women I know who do mountain search and rescue are absolutely dedicated to what they do.  It takes your kind of enthusiasm to see it through.  You Go!

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

It sounds like a passion to me.  I say if you feel you are ready to make the move check it out and jump in when ready.  You have a solid career to fall back on.  Consider this, open your own law office where you want to be and start out working with volunteers and see what you can build it to.  Good luck with your decision.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jay, I just am reading this discussion and I hope you find a way to realize your dream. Have you ever thought about staying where you are at and doing some kind of local search and rescue? Just a thought! I love cross country skiing, but have found as I get older, I am just as happy to stay on a flatter surface and go slower : ) I think it is cool that you are doing helicopter skiing, but I am sure if I tried it, I would be the one needing to be rescued. LOL I agree....making money is not what life is all about. It should be about finding something that makes you happy and doing it! Good luck! Let us know what happens.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Thanks Laurie, I appreciate the response.  Someone else suggested that as well (not on DK).  The thing is, it's not just the rescuing part - it's the whole thing about being in the mountains, in general.  As long as I can remember, I have felt that yearning - and I feel a sense of peace, connection, understanding and purpose when I am up in the mountains and the snow that I don't get anywhere else.  My parents used to tell a story about how, when I was a baby, I would cry and cry and they couldn't figure out what was wrong.  Finally, in exasperation, they picked me up and put me outside in the snow - and I was happy as could be.  Mountains in fact "talk", and to me at least it seems like whatever they have to say is very important.  The hum is distinct to each mountain range, but it's always there, even if other people can't or won't hear it.  I know some people talk about the ocean that way.  I hate the ocean - but mountains talk to me.  The image in my head is always me and the Belgian Malinois I have trained from a puppy, up in the mountains somewhere, skiing, sleeping in a snow cave, etc.  And now, poor little Lola feeling left out and worried but so happy when we make it home.  And hopefully a loving human family too, someday.

That said, I feel a similar passion for my law practice and fledging firm that is just getting off the ground.  I have invested so much to get this far and would never give up now.  The part about the mountains, etc. is not going to happen tomorrow or next week, but I believe it will happen eventually.  Especially knowing that it's something I could do as a volunteer - perhaps even in retirement - makes it seem that much more attainable.  

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Here a short article I found about avalanche dog training, if anyone is interested:

http://leerburg.com/avalanche.htm