Millie
Status: Operational Advanced
Handler: Brendan Kearns
A strong and determined hound with unstoppable drive
Millie has been a real asset to the team in her eight
years as an operational search dog. She has been
deployed on six occasions and in all situations was able
to determine that there was no one to find… a real asset
indeed! Millie loves people almost as much as she loves
search and is often seen outside the Patrol hut at
Treble Cone in her Doglegs lapping up the attention.
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Rocket
Status: Operational
Handler: Matt Gunn
Rocket is (as his name
suggests) full of energy, this in combination with his
desire to please and his OCD when it comes to playing
games is proving to be a great combination. A friendly
hound with a loving nature Rocket is proving to be very
popular at our fundraising events!
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Zeffer
Status: Trainee
Handler: Callum Grant
Zeffer is our newest recruit to
the AAD team. Bred from a proven Search and Rescue and
Police bloodline Zeffer and his littermates all now work
in service roles all around New Zealand. We have high
hopes for Zeff and his early training indicates strong
drive and a perfect disposition for search. His friendly
and curious nature also makes him a ‘pat magnet’ with
the kids and adults alike
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Tuki
Status: Trainee
Handler: Andi Wardell
Part Long Haired Pointer and part
Black Lab Tuki comes from gundog stock and is proving to
be quite the character. Very cheeky and having lots of
play drive Tuki is keeping Andy on his toes… exactly
what we are looking for in a search dog! Go the Tukster!
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Blizzid
Status: Retired
Handler: Matt Gunn
Blizzid retired from active
search duties at the end of the 2011 season however she
is far from retired. Bliz is now ‘head mistress’ at the
AAD, helping out with the socialisation of pups and our
education roadshows where we teach local residents about
the work of search dogs, canine safety and how to be
good dog owners.
Avalanche Dog Retires to Light
Duties, The News 6/10/11
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In memory - Zeppelin (2007-2011)
Tragedy struck on
November 2011 with the sudden loss of Zepp. His death
struck a significant blow to our team, not only in the
loss of a team member but the tragic circumstances in
which Zepp died. It serves as a reminder to us all to be
vigilant about keeping our dogs safe and secure. Zepp is
dearly missed, as he was such an affectionate dog with
huge personality and an exceptional avalanche dog.
"Dog's death a warning" Wanaka Sun, 4/11/11).
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Matt Gunn
Having ski patrolled for 15 years Matt has
retired from full time patrolling to pursue his dream of
setting a New Zealand first in Aspiring Avalanche Dogs
and to spend more time with his young family. Matt and
partner Em also own and operate an events lighting
company based out of Wanaka.
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Brendan Kearns (Doons)
As a part of the local hardcore
having skied at TC since Adam was a cowboy, Doons is
second in-charge of the TC ski patrol. Living in
Punakaiki during the summer months with his lovely lady
and beautiful daughter Doons is also an outdoor pursuits
teacher and manages his own holiday house business.
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Callum Grant
The Big CG is a senior patroller at TC,
with years of experience and is a mountain guide during
the summer months. These skills make Cal a real asset to
our group. Having a skill for resurrecting old bicycles
from the grave Cal has started a flourishing business
renting pushbikes to tourists in the Wanaka region.
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Andy Wardell
Although relatively new to the TC patrol
having started in 2009, Andy is a cool and calm operator
with a skill set to match. Andy is a jack-of-all-trades
kind of fulla turning his hand to landscape gardening
during the summer months and can be seen moonlighting in
the hospitality industry during the wedding
season...versatile or what!
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