The award-winning search and rescue dog "Çıtır," part of the Afyonkarahisar Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD) Provincial Directorate, is always kept ready for new missions.
Çıtır, who joined AFAD nearly 8 years ago, was trained by specialized personnel as a live search dog to locate people under rubble during large disasters.
With his keen sense of smell, Çıtır becomes one of the greatest supporters of the team.
After the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, Çıtır participated in search and rescue operations in Hatay and Gaziantep, helping locate and save people trapped under debris.
Çıtır's trainer, Mesut Günaydın, said they make a great team and always keep themselves and their dogs in a state of readiness.
"We have to be on alert at all times, which is why we constantly train, both day and night. Çıtır found many people alive during the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, which is why he was awarded a medal.
His successful work was recognized." Günaydın added that they aim to build on their success and continue improving, noting,
"We never know when an earthquake will occur, so we remain on alert, focusing on agility and obstacle course training."
Günaydın also mentioned that there are 12 trained dogs in Afyonkarahisar AFAD, and dogs that pass exams held every two years are assigned to missions.
