With deep sadness, we have learned that our first president and founding member of the International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO), Dr Wolfgang Zörner, has passed away at the age of 86.

From the organisation’s founding in 1993 until 2013, Dr Zörner served as president – a period during which he played a key role in advancing international search and rescue dog work. Under his leadership, around 30,000 dogs were trained, internationally recognised training and testing standards were introduced, and the IRO was established as a globally leading institution in the sector. He was particularly committed to fostering exchange and community: through symposia, training sessions, and international meetings, he promoted the sharing of knowledge and strengthened the bonds within the global search and rescue dog family.

His life was as varied as it was remarkable: after nearly thirty years as a director and theatre manager, he found his true calling in nature and his dogs. By breeding Bernese Mountain Dogs, he turned his passion into a profession – enriching his own life and the lives of many others. On numerous missions in disaster zones, he stood side by side with his dogs in service to people. He also left his mark as an author, recording his experiences in the book “Hunde – Begegnungen, Erlebnisse, Zucht / Wiesmadern – die Story”.

Those who met Wolfgang Zörner remember his open heart, his humour, his calm presence, and the joy he radiated among his dogs. He was a visionary, a long-time companion, and above all, a loyal friend. His influence extends far beyond his time in office – as the heart and soul of the IRO, he will always remain a shining example to us all.

As the current IRO President Alois Balog puts it:

Amid his dogs, he radiated a calm and joy that drew everyone around him into this bliss. This special gift will remain with us forever.

We look back with deep gratitude on the time we shared and will keep his memory alive in our work and in our hearts.