Rescue dogs enchant Lower Saxony: Interior Minister visits Osnabrück!

Rescue dogs enchant Lower Saxony: Interior Minister visits Osnabrück!

At this year's Lower Saxony Day, which took place on September 4, 2025 in Osnabrück, the Johanniter showed their impressive skills and commitment. At the stand on the technology mile at Neuer Graben, visitors were able to admire innovative vehicles such as the medical equipment vehicle (GW San), the emergency command vehicle (ELW) and a dog trailer from the rescue dog squadron. The four-legged stars in particular – the dogs of the rescue dog team – attracted a lot of attention and brought a lot of joy to young and old. The children were thrilled as they played with the dogs and even had the opportunity to roll dice for wins with therapy dog ​​Henry.

As soon as she arrived, the Interior Minister of Lower Saxony, Daniela Behrens, attracted a high number of visitors to the stand. She was enthusiastically photographed with the terrier lady Mette, who also became the attraction of the day. Supported by committed Johanniters from Aurich and Ems-Vechte, the team ensured a comprehensive distribution of food. This included catering by the Jeverland local group, which served a total of 1,122 breakfasts and 893 lunches - 235 of which were vegetarian dishes. In the Osnabrück Hall, ten helpers under the leadership of Steffen Vieth and platoon leader Tobias Dwucet were responsible for the culinary provision, while the Aurich care group under Sebastian Schulze and Thomas Kappenhagen worked in the cathedral school. Vieth also thanked the town hall team for their support with a pallet truck.

The work of the rescue dog teams

The outstanding performance on Lower Saxony Day is no coincidence. The volunteers of the rescue dog teams in Lower Saxony and Bremen took part in 35 missions in 2024. A total of 94 helpers were active with their dogs and worked 1,223 hours. These dedicated people have put in more than 25,700 additional hours of training and service to ensure they are always ready for action. The focus of the operations ranges from the search for missing children to people at risk of suicide and those suffering from dementia.

The importance of the work of rescue dog teams is particularly evident in disasters such as train accidents, house collapses or flood damage. As Lutz Fricke, specialist consultant for the rescue services in the Johanniter Regional Association of Lower Saxony/Bremen, emphasizes, the volunteers and their dogs are an indispensable part of danger prevention and make a significant contribution to the safety of the population. However, the training of rescue dogs and their handlers is intensive and takes two to three years before they complete a joint test of Johanniter, Maltese and ASB.

The potential of rescue dogs

The diversity of rescue dogs is remarkable. Area search dogs are used to search for missing people in the forest, while rubble dogs are used in gas explosions or similar disasters. Mantrailers, which track people by smell, are also part of this specialized group. Even in difficult weather conditions, these dogs can scent people over considerable distances, making them an indispensable part of search teams.

The training of rescue dogs not only includes teaching operational tactics and first aid, but also practical skills such as orientation in the terrain and the use of radio communications. After an intensive training period, the exam takes place, which is repeated every 18 months. Those interested without dogs of their own are also warmly invited to get involved and support the rescue dog team.

Thanks to the commitment and dedication of the volunteers and their four-legged partners, not only do many people in emergency situations get home safely, but they also show us how much teamwork and training goes into every rescue.