He Trains Ski-Slope Rescue Dogs

Dog trainer Derek Hedenstrom is in North Idaho this month scoping the possibility of opening shop in the Coeur d’Alene area. But that’s no ordinary pet at his side. Zeke is a German shepherd with a cold nose that could be the most welcome sight a skier could see.

For seven years, Zeke has been on the front lines of avalanche rescues in Utah’s Wasatch Range.

Hedenstrom had trained four dogs in avalanche rescue before he got Zeke as a pup.

“He’s been around,” Hedenstrom said, noting that the dog has been on ESPN. “He’s very familiar with getting in and out of helicopters.”

Although he’s never had a chance to save an avalanche victim, Zeke has been on numerous rescues that turned out to be dry runs.

“Basically, he saved the rescue teams a lot of time and effort,” Hedenstrom said. “I know of only one live avalanche recovery in North America made by a dog. That was by a black Lab near Jackson Hole.”

Hedenstrom said he prefers working with black Labradors or German shepherds.

“They have the heart and they’re the right size for getting on and off helicopters and chairlifts,” he said.

Although Hedenstrom hopes to drum up business in North Idaho, Zeke isn’t likely to find much work at the region’s ski areas.

“This isn’t a class A avalanche area,” he said. “The terrain isn’t nearly as severe as in Utah.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo