“Zehir” (meaning “poison” in Turkish), a member of ASAM Canine Search and Rescue who lives up to his name and is as sharp as poison, has successfully passed AFAD’s rigorous certification exam, qualifying to become one of the 86 accredited search and rescue dogs in Türkiye. Canine trainer Hakan Özden, who never left Zehir’s side for even a moment during the months-long training process, states, “Being able to touch the lives of people and save lives is an indescribable feeling.”

The result of nine months of training

Canine trainer Hakan Özden, who never left Zehir’s side for even a moment during the months-long training process, states, “Being able to touch the lives of people and save lives is an indescribable feeling.”

Hakan Özden, a member of ASAM Canine Search and Rescue Team who has been preparing Zehir for this exam for the past nine months, says, “Zehir has successfully completed the exam at AFAD conducted by trainer Bülent Gülü and his team.” With its six search and rescue dogs, two of which are accredited by AFAD, the ASAM Canine Search and Rescue Unit is ready to respond in the event of a disaster!