Poppy, a black labrador picked up as a nine-week-old puppy near Callander, Scotland, now works as a search and rescue dog finding missing people alongside her owner, a Special Operations Response Team paramedic.
The dog began her rescue work in 2021 when she was one year old. Poppy searches for missing people without requiring a scent item such as clothing to start her work. During training, volunteers hide in various locations including riverbanks, woods, beside lochs and canals. The dogs must locate the people and return to their handlers.
Her owner notes that Poppy's curious nature has made her well-suited to the work. The dog enjoys searching undergrowth and sniffing out locations where missing people may be found. Once Poppy locates someone, her owner and colleagues on the Special Operations Response Team provide any medical assistance required.
The owner describes Poppy as clever and empathic, qualities that became apparent early in her life as a family pet. Those traits directly informed the decision to involve her in search work, as they aligned with what the role demanded. Poppy took to the training immediately.
Her owner says Poppy is both a beloved family pet and an effective employee.