My dog saves lives

It was 2am on a wet windy night when Serena Field (57), a volunteer for Dorset Search Dogs, received a WhatsApp message from the dog team.

“It said that a 25-year-old male was missing and then it gave the postcode where the search teams would meet,” Serena explains, stroking Rufus, her German wire-haired Pointer, while recalling that night.

“The WhatsApp has a specific ring sound, which Rufus recognises. He was already looking at me with a ‘Where are we going?’ expression on his face.”

Both Serena and Rufus regularly help to save lives. They are part of Lowland Rescue, which is part of UK Search and Rescue. Like the RNLI at sea, and the Mountains Rescue at high altitude, they help provide an official search and rescue service for people who have gone missing, alongside the police who call in the charity.

That night when Serena received the WhatsApp at 2am was no different.

“I got out of bed – my husband, Angus is very understanding – and when I reached search control, I was assigned a piece of prickly woodland,” Serena explains. “Thanks to our training, Rufus knew how to search the area, but he didn’t find anyone.”

Then, as Serena and Rufus drove home, she glimpsed a figure walking in the clothes described on the search briefing. Serena adds, “I called the police and gave the location.”

Approximately 150 people are reported missing every day in the Bournemouth area where Serena and Rufus live. Age and circumstances differ. Sometimes it may be a young child. Other times, it is someone elderly. Often those that have gone missing are vulnerable due to pre-existing conditions or mental health problems.

Still, most share one thing.

“For each person, there is usually a loved one who is absolutely desperate to make sure they are safe,” Serena says.

Rufus and Serena’s involvement began when Rufus was just a pup.

Looking for way to train him, Serena stumbled upon Dorset Search Dogs which is part of the Lowland Rescue division of the UK Search and Rescue. Intrigues, she signed up for a beginner’s session, which took place in a car park on a wet January night.

“I watched how a person ran down the track with a squeaky toy,” Serena recalls. We then had to send our dog to find that person usi