Avalanche Dog Heroes: Piper and Friends Learn to Search the Snow

At a ski resort in Washington State, three-year-old border collie Piper is learning to be a rescue dog. Photographs depict a typical day in Piper’s training by handler Sara Cohen. First thing in the morning, Piper meets up with her teammates: Ari, Kala, Riki, and Piper’s best friend, Darwin, a Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever. Class activities include riding a chairlift or gondola up the mountain, practicing basic commands, and running down snowy hills. The day’s biggest task, however, is the avalanche rescue drill: “Piper halts, then barks and digs at the snow to signal her discovery.” Rusch emphasizes how the training of the dogs is both hard work and fun—a point made clear through photographs of Piper dashing through the snow, chewing on toys, and embracing Cohen. Throughout, infographics and side panels offer insights into numerous topics that may provide an extra source of fascination, including how avalanches are formed and why dogs have such strong senses of smell. Ages 7–10. [em](Oct.) [/em]