A Callander rescue employee and his trusty canine have been honoured with a global award for his or her devoted work.
Rod Stoddart MBE, from Trossachs Search and Rescue Staff, and his search canine Clova have gained the primary Affiliation of Skilled Working Canine Award.
The award recognises the work TSAR has performed during the last couple of years for the neighborhood and for wider canine searches all through the nation.
The pair have been chosen following consideration of 3500 canine handler/canine groups from internationally.
TSAR spokesman Brian Devlin stated: “Rod has been concerned in Search and Rescue for greater than 40 years, initially with RAF mountain rescue and civilian mountain rescue, for which he was awarded the MBE, and up to now two years with Trossachs Search and Rescue as a canine handler and coaching officer.
“This award represents companies to each search and rescue and dealing with the broader neighborhood, each of which Rod has devoted most of his working life to.
“Rod and Clova deploy frequently to help in search and rescue and most just lately to a significant gasoline explosion which ripped via a housing property in Ayr.
“They have been a part of a crew of 10 folks and 4 canine from Trossachs Search and Rescue that have been referred to as out by Scottish Fireplace and Rescue to look the rubble for survivors.
“In addition to deploying with Clova for searches, Rod continues to coach frequently alongside his position as an exterior assessor to different SAR groups inside the UK.”
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Their contribution doesn’t cease there, nonetheless.
Not solely do the pair reply in speedy emergency conditions, additionally they present a lot wanted help to people.
“Search canine Clova can be a certified remedy canine,” stated Brian, “and has visited many establishments and teams to help these recovering from loss, emotional trauma and stress.
“Rod and Clova additionally pay visits to these affected by fight stress and PTSD and go to many veterans who're within the course of of coaching different remedy canine to proceed this work.”
The award was offered at TSAR’s Callander base earlier this week.
Native Councillor Martin Earl attended the ceremony.
He stated: “This worldwide award is massively vital. It recognises the good talent and dedication of each Rod and Clova within the work they've been doing. It was a privilege to satisfy them.
“Not solely have they helped many individuals in emergency conditions, Clova has remodeled lives as a remedy canine.
“Their achievements as a part of the Trossachs Search and Rescue crew remind us of the very important work, typically unheralded, that this organisation does. We're lucky to have them out there to offer help the place and at any time when wanted, as they did in the course of the current storms.”