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Rescue dog handler Ben Stone with his dog, Kaya. Stone has been working on the ski patrol for 13 years. Michelle Wiley/KQED
Rescue dog handler Ben Stone with his dog, Kaya. Stone has been working on the ski patrol for 13 years. (Michelle Wiley/KQED)
The California Report

PHOTOS: These Squaw Valley Rescue Dogs Don't Get a Summer Break

Last year’s huge Sierra snowfall has meant avalanche risk into early summer, posing a threat to some hikers. If you survive being trapped, whether you're wearing ski or hiking boots, you may have a canine to thank.
Michelle Wiley
02:28

Unless you're an avid skier or snowboarder trying to decide whether to get the jump on a season pass for next year, snow might not exactly be top of mind this first week of July.

Still, heavy Sierra snowfall last winter and into the spring — followed by relatively cool temperatures in early June — has led to an ongoing risk of avalanches into early summer, posing a threat to long-distance hikers on the famed Pacific Crest Trail.

If you survive being trapped in an avalanche, whether you're wearing ski boots or hiking boots, it's likely you'll have a canine to thank.

At Squaw Valley — which is still open to skiers and snowboarders through July 7 — those dogs are part of the Squaw Avalanche Rescue Dog program. The six-dog team is made up of numerous breeds and their handlers, who spend a lot of time with their dogs.

"We come to work together, we leave work together, and then we go play together," said handler Benjamin Stone. "So we're together a good portion — at least half the day."

Stone has been with the ski patrol for 13 years. He started working with dogs after seeing the bond they have with their handlers.

"Quite honestly, coming to work with your ski boots on every day with your best friend, your dog, is one of the most rewarding careers I could hope to have," said Stone.

When working that closely with a dog, a handler learns how to recognize their individual "quirks," which can be helpful during a search.

"My dog — Kaya — does a quick turn and her tail goes straight up, so I know she's on something," explained Stone.

Kaya does a quick turn, and her tail stands straight up, when she's found something in the snow.
Kaya does a quick turn, and her tail stands straight up when she's found something in the snow. (Michelle Wiley/KQED)

'The Game'

When search and rescue dogs at Squaw Valley practice finding people in the snow, handlers refer to it as "the game." That's because they want the dogs to want to search: if it feels like work, they'll be less motivated to do it.

The dogs are trained using the standard from the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association, which uses play as a motivator rather than food.

So instead of receiving a treat, when Kaya does a successful search she gets to play tug of war.

"We only play that when we're playing 'the game,' " explained Stone. "We don't play that at home. We can play other stuff at home — like fetch."

Stone prepares to bury a sweater so Kaya can practice 'the game.'
Stone prepares to bury a sweater so Kaya can practice 'the game.' (Michelle Wiley/KQED)

To practice, Stone buries a sweater in the snow that's been worn for several days, so it's got a good scent on it. Then he has Kaya search for it.

"It's all about winning 'the game,' " said Stone. "And so you set yourself up for that success and then you know — in the unlikely event we have to respond to a real avalanche — the dog doesn't see a difference in that. They're just out there to play 'the game.' "

When Kaya finds they sweater, she's rewarded with a game of tug-of-war.
When Kaya finds the sweater, she's rewarded with a game of tug of war. (Michelle Wiley/KQED)

The Dog Days of Summer

So what do rescue dogs do when the ski season is over?

With younger dogs who are still in training, summer is focused on the fundamentals. But for more seasoned dogs, like Kaya, her time off will be spent going on hikes and staying fit.

The dogs are also part of the Placer County Sheriff's Office dog teams, available to be deployed for search and rescue operations in the backcountry.

"If they need us in the backcountry, they'll call us and come get us. So these dogs are used to not only riding on chairlifts and snowmobiles but are very accustomed to helicopters as well," said Stone.

"For this dog, she just thinks, 'Yeah, a helicopter is a flying truck.'"

Find more photos of Kaya and the rest of Squaw's search and rescue dog team on the Squaw Dogs Instagram account.

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