From preparation to action

As the aircraft door opens, Michal is hit by a wave of hot, humid air. Just days earlier, two powerful earthquakes had struck Venezuela. International search and rescue teams have been deployed to assist local responders in searching for survivors trapped under the rubble.

Even before the mission begins, Michal's thoughts turn to Zerro. How would his dog cope with the intense heat and humidity? Would he have the stamina to perform over several demanding days of operations?

No training can fully recreate the chaos of a real deployment.

Michal Palovič, operational search dog handler, Slovakia

Shortly after arriving, Michal and Zerro start searching the collapsed buildings. The constant noise of heavy machinery, the presence of numerous response teams, and the unmistakable scent of human remains became part of their daily reality. Yet Zerro remained focused from day one, working with unwavering determination.

Only eight months earlier, Michal and Zerro had successfully completed the IRO Mission Readiness Test (MRT). In hindsight, Michal believes that the realistic deployment scenarios prepared them well for the mission ahead. They learned to perform under pressure, adapt to rapidly changing situations, and collaborate effectively as a team.

Together with their teammates from Slovakia's Medium Urban Search and Rescue (MUSAR) team, Michal and Zerro work their way through the assigned search sectors. Each deployment requires total focus, stamina and teamwork.

During one such operation, the team suddenly heard knocking from beneath the rubble. The rescue crews immediately began a painstaking operation to reach the trapped person. They work tirelessly for more than ten hours to clear the debris. Ultimately, however, they arrive too late.

"It was incredibly emotional," Michal recalls. "It's a moment that will stay with me for the rest of my life."

Despite the emotional challenges of the mission, Michal remembers the solidarity among the international teams most vividly. Working alongside experienced colleagues has reinforced the importance of mutual support in disaster response. Reports of survivors being found alive, even days after the earthquakes, continue to give everyone hope.

Upon returning home, Michal needs time to process everything he has experienced, both physically and mentally. Nevertheless, one thing is certain: if needed, he would not hesitate to deploy again.

Just a few days later, he and Zerro are back training to search through rubble. The first priority is to help Zerro rediscover the motivation and enthusiasm he had before the deployment. It works. Once again, Zerro demonstrates the focus, commitment and joy that define him as a search dog.

The experience in Venezuela will stay with Michal and Zerro for years to come. For Michal, this mission marks the beginning of the next chapter, not the end of the journey. Determined to keep learning and improving, Michal continues to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.

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