‘Hero’ Dogs From Rescue Operation in Turkey Get First Class Seats on Airliners Flying Them Home
 

When the full extent of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria became apparent, rescuers came from around the world and across political boundaries to aid in the lifesaving efforts; and they brought their dogs too.

Trained rescue dogs and their handlers came from the US, Israel, El Salvador, Mexico, Qatar, South Korea, China, India, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, and 17 EU countries to lend their leashes and noses to help pull survivors out from under the rubble of buildings.

More than 140 dogs have so far arrived from outside Turkey and Syria to help, from a wide variety of breeds, though all require “boundless energy… to go until they drop,” one rescuer told Al Jazeera. 

Now on their journey back to their homes, the national carrier Turkish Airlines has given each and every pooch a first-class seat to honor their heroism.

A spokesperson for the airline told The Independent that it was “the least we could do to show our appreciation for these heroic dogs’ sincere and heroic efforts.”

“When people can’t cry for help anymore, dogs are one of the last chances for people to be found,” explained Linda Hornisberger in an interview with BBC. Hornisberger is a Senior Search Expert at the Swiss Disaster Dog Association (REDOG). “Dogs can cover a large area quickly and with their nose, they can detect the scent of the people under the rubble.”

Source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/hero-dogs-from-rescue-operation-in-turkey-get-first-class-seats-on-airliners-flying-them-home/

Comprehension

Where do the trained rescue dogs and their handlers come from?
How many dogs arrived from outside Turkey and Syria?
What seat class did the Turkish Airlines in each dog?
Why did the airlines give the dogs a special seat class?
What did Linda Hornisberger explain in an interview with BBC about dogs?

Discussion

What did you feel about the article?
What do you think about rescue dogs?
How helpful are rescue dogs during this kind of disaster?
Do you have any dogs? If yes, what is their breed?
Do you believe that a dog can also be our hero?
How does a dog help a person or society?
Do you think it’s better to train our dogs in our home?

Vocabulary

Pooch- a dog
Rescuer- a person who saves someone from a dangerous or difficult situation.
Leash- a line for leading or controlling an animal
Breed- to produce offspring by sexual union.
Heroic- having the characteristics of a hero or heroine; very brave.
Rubble- waste or rough fragments of stone, brick, concrete, etc., especially as the debris from the demolition of buildings.