9/11 Rescue Dogs Became So Depressed After Finding Only Deceased Victims, Workers Had to Stage Fake Rescues to Keep Their Spirits Up

One of the saddest and darkest events in recent history showcases just how much the animals dubbed as man’s best friends were there for us. During 9/11, over 300 search and rescue dogs were deployed to Ground Zero. They undeniably did their best to find all the survivors, but just like us, they get tired and their morale can go down. That is why the workers did something incredible for these rescue dogs to be able to keep their spirits up.

The Unsung Heroes of Ground Zero

In the aftermath of the September 11 event, highly trained canines worked tirelessly alongside their handlers for days. Navigating through terrains and debris that might still collapse and hurt them, regardless, they push through to find all the bodies they can find, whether its deceased or not.

Their senses, which far outcompete any humans, along with their unwavering determination, made them one of the most valuable assets during the rescue operations. Night and day, they were searching the area, hoping for more survivors. But what most people did not expect or know is the emotional toll that only finding deceased bodies has on these rescue dogs.

Read more: Dogster

The Emotional Toll on the Canines

FULL | The Working Dogs of 9/11: The Story Most Don’t Know

As the days of search and rescue operations turned to relentless weeks, the likelihood that the people who will be found are still alive diminishes. Each of the rescue dogs still operating began showing signs of distress and emotional toll.

These canine dogs are trained to receive rewards and positive acknowledgment when they successfully find someone still breathing. That is why when the bodies they kept on finding showed no signs of life, the handlers noticed the weight of the situation.

Just like us humans, demotivation in dogs could cause a change in behavior. If we suddenly lose the hope for a better outcome, no matter what we are doing, it could cause us to stop completely or do a poor job at it. That is just normal psychology. That is why the workers needed to stage some successful finds.

Staging Rescues to Lift Spirits

A genius but still compassionate strategy that the rescue workers devised was to set up staged mock rescues, and reward the rescue dogs for their job well done. The volunteers would hide under the rubble and allow the dogs to discover them by themselves, and they receive the anticipated reward and acknowledgement, or positive affirmations.

This strategy kept the dogs motivated and reinvigorated, even if the real bodies that were being discovered were no longer alive. However, this is still a big and important part of the rescue operations, to be able to recover the bodies as their loved ones are waiting to receive and confirm, and ultimately get some closure.

Read more: 911 Memorial

Understanding Canine Psychology

Experts say that even if dogs can not process the same deep feelings that humans can feel, they are attuned to how their owners’ or handlers’ emotions. They can also show and feel emotions, but the lack of positive reinforcements and the somber environment likely contributed more to the dog’s distressed behavior after weeks of searching.

By introducing the staged rescues, the workers were able to give the dogs the stimuli they needed to keep on going, despite how dire the real situation was. At the end of the day, no matter who says what, they are real heroes who were there at the darkest of our days.

The Dogs of 9/11 Full Series | News 12

Author's Final Thoughts

This story is not known to most people, and it serves as a good reminder that it is important to acknowledge and address the emotional well-being of working animals. Through their compassion and brilliant idea, the handlers were able to ensure the health of these rescue dogs, who were vital during one of the country’s devastating times.

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