MARTIGNY, Switzerland: St. Bernard dogs, one of Switzerland's national symbols that were internationally renowned for helping in alpine rescues, are now saving people in other ways.
The Barry Foundation - a non-profit that took over breeding of the dog in 2005 from the world's oldest St. Bernard kennels high in the Swiss mountains - has helped the dogs transition to their new role as therapeutic and educational support dogs for vulnerable people.
"The St. Bernard today is a breed that works on the social front," Andrea Zollinger, spokesperson for the foundation, said during a visit of its kennels in the city of Martigny, near the borders of Italy and France.
"The dogs work in hospitals, in nursing homes with senior citizens. They help people undergoing therapy, meet with children and prisoners. They work wonders."
The dogs take part in some 600 engagements across Switzerland every year. They support the well-being of people with autism spectrum disorders and other special needs, and assist medical professionals in carrying out psychosomatic and psychosocial rehabilitation.
"They happily take part," Zollinger said. "They love it."
Visitors can also see the dogs at Barryland, a theme park that has a museum and facilities for the dogs.
'A STRONG SYMBOL'
On Aug. 28, seven puppies, five females and two males, were born to one of the Barry Foundation's dogs, Roxy.
The puppies are just beginning to explore their surroundings, jostling in the grass and getting their first taste of kibble.
They are descendants of Barry I, a St. Bernard credited with saving the lives of more than 40 people on the Great St. Bernard Pass in the early 19th century.
Like his predecessors, Barry I lived at a hospice founded by 11th-century monks to aid pilgrims and other travellers making the treacherous journey across the Alps.
Travellers' chronicles and stories from soldiers who had crossed the pass with Napoleon in 1800 helped forge the dogs' reputation as dutiful companions with an extraordinary capacity for rescue.
"They have a great sense of smell," said Anne Hölzer, in charge of training at Barry Foundation. "Given that they are tall and wide, the dogs were used to clear the snowy path for rescuers in the pass."
These days, alpine rescues tend to enlist the help of smaller dogs that can be more easily transported by helicopter compared to St. Bernards.
But Switzerland is no less attached to its favourite dog.
"It's a very strong symbol of Switzerland," Zollinger said. "I think many people are committed to maintaining this dog in good shape and according to the breed's standards."
Reuters
Fri Sep 29 2023
One of the St. Bernard puppies of Roxy van de Burggravehoeve rests over its mother at the nursery of the Barry foundation, following their birth on August 28 in Martigny, Switzerland. - REUTERS
Pelan Transformasi Air sasar tingkatkan air bersih, liputan sistem kumbahan - Fadillah
Pelan Transformasi Air sasar tingkatkan air bersih, tingkatkan liputan sistem kumbahan - Fadillah
Warga Thailand mengaku tidak bersalah seleweng diesel
Seorang warga Thailand mengaku tidak bersalah di Mahkamah Sesyen Alor Setar atas pertuduhan menyeleweng 322 liter minyak diesel.
Lilitan reben putih tak langgar peraturan - Timbalan Speaker
Ramli berkata, perkara itu juga adalah merupakan keputusannya dan bukan dibuat oleh Yang Dipertua Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Kos pampasan tanah fasa 1B proses projek LPB Sabah RM1.2 bilion - Alexander
Anggaran kos pengambilan balik tanah bagi keseluruhan Fasa 1B proses pengambilan tanah dan penilaian pampasan tanah bagi Projek Lebuh Raya Pan Borneo Sabah (LPB Sabah) berjumlah RM1.2 bilion.
KR sedia tambah baik SOP pembinaan lebuhraya
Alaxender berkata kementerian bersedia untuk mendedahkan laporan kajian insiden jika ia melibatkan kemalangan berskala besar dan meragut nyawa.
Reman suspek kes keropok beracun disambung dua hari
Tempoh reman terhadap seorang pemilik kebun disambung selama dua hari, bagi membantu siasatan kematian dua kanak-kanak yang meninggal dunia akibat makan keropok beracun.
KPM alukan pesara guru ajar Bahasa Inggeris
Jelas Fadhlina Sidek pesara-pesara guru telah banyak membantu usaha KPM dalam meningkatkan PdP bahasa Inggeris termasuk melalui Program Highly Immersive Programme Mentor (HIP Mentor).
Tidak perlu lagi kemas kini status COVID-19 dalam MySejahtera - KKM
Jika positif COVID-19 melalui ujian kendiri, pesakit boleh mengunjungi klinik dan hospital berdekatan bagi mendapatkan pengesahan.
Mayat hampir reput dijumpai di rumah usang
Mayat hampir reput ditemui di sebuah rumah usang di Kesang Laut, berdekatan pusat timbang Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) pada Ahad.
Wanita dakwa dituduh Rafizi fail saman
Seorang wanita memfailkan saman terhadap Menteri Ekonomi, Rafizi Ramli bagi menuntut permohonan maaf secara terbuka berhubung dakwaan bahawa wanita berkenaan ialah isteri kepada bekas menteri yang dikaitkan dengan isu kapal tempur pesisir (LCS).
Bagaimanapun, Rafizi bergantung kepada pembelaan justifikasi berkata bersedia membuktikan kenyataan di mahkamah termasuk perlindungan bersyarat dan ulasan yang saksama terhadap saman fitnah yang difailkan oleh Zainab Mohd Salleh.
Bagaimanapun, Rafizi bergantung kepada pembelaan justifikasi berkata bersedia membuktikan kenyataan di mahkamah termasuk perlindungan bersyarat dan ulasan yang saksama terhadap saman fitnah yang difailkan oleh Zainab Mohd Salleh.