Zoé Ast, who began her rescue dog journey at 16 inspired by her father, discusses the demands of training rescue dogs and the busy year they faced with 29 callouts in 2023.
In a forest between Strassen and Mamer, we meet Zoé Ast, a 34-year-old school teacher who works as a volunteer for the Red Cross rescue dog service.
Zoé, who has dedicated the past twelve years to her career as a school teacher, also volunteers with the Red Cross rescue dog unit. This team, comprising 19 volunteers and 15 dogs, has been operational since 1998. RTL was invited to observe their activities during a recent training session.
"I love Labradors"
At the age of 16, Zoé began her work with the Red Cross rescue dog unit, alongside her first dog, a Labrador named "Goose." This journey started 17 years ago, inspired by her father who encouraged her to join the unit.
"We were dragged to every training"
Zoé's father, Jerry Ast, founded the Red Cross rescue dog unit in 1996. Jerry, a volunteer paramedic with the Red Cross and a dog handler for customs, was the reason why she got involved. He asked himself why the German Red Cross had rescue dogs, but the Luxembourg Red Cross didn't.
"He dragged all his children to training, whether they wanted to go or not," Zoé recalled with a smile. "We grew up in the dog unit."
Not every dog is suited for the job. The ideal candidates are medium-sized breeds like Labradors, German or Dutch Shepherds, or Border Collies, Zoé explained during the interview. "The dog shouldn’t be too large, as they often need to work for extended periods, even in warmer temperatures."
Some dogs also receive extra training for navigating different terrains like rubble or open areas.
"2023 was intense"
Last year, the Red Cross dog rescue unit was called 29 times, significantly more than the annual average of 12 calls. The police often call in the Red Cross and Grand-Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps dog units for reinforcement, especially in cases of a "concerning disappearance" of a person. The dog unit team had their last deployment in mid-June.
Most of the unit's deployments are within Luxembourgish territory. Zoé explained in the interview: "When we are needed abroad, it is usually near the borders. Very often, it is our German colleagues who call us in for reinforcement."
"The dog handler and their dog are partners"
"Success comes from working well as a team," Zoé shared proudly. "This is why proper training is so important." Training sessions take place twice a week and the training to become a rescue dog takes two years.
"But training is never truly complete. The test must be retaken every two years to ensure that the teams can continue to participate effectively in deployments," Zoé explained enthusiastically. "The more experience the dog gains, the more confident it becomes."
As a dog handler, you first need rescue training, knowledge of the equipment, and good orientation skills in the forest. The age of the dog is also an important factor. "The younger, the better," says Zoé Ast.
"A puppy of twelve weeks is ideal," she explains further. "However, in the past we have started with dogs that are one year old. If a dog is older than three years, it doesn't really make sense to start training. The training simply takes too long."
The retirement age for a rescue dog depends on each individual dog. "If a dog starts having joint problems, it doesn't make sense to overwork them. Some dogs work until they are 10 years old, while others retire at 8," she shared.
"Here we cooked bolognese sauce"
Dogs work with their noses and a dog's sense of smell is far sharper than its eyesight.
The Red Cross dog unit participates in three international training sessions throughout the year. Until August 9, they are in Bavaria for a training session.
The unit also collaborates with other dog units. The Luxembourgish Red Cross regularly works with the Bavarian Red Cross and the Paris firefighters from the St. Denis barracks.
"I am a Cycle 4 teacher"
Alongside her passion for dogs, Zoé is a school teacher by profession. She works with kids between the ages of 10 and 12. "With them, you can cover a wide range of fascinating subjects. From World War II to science and first aid and I’m very passionate about these subjects,", Zoé stated in her interview.
For the last twelve years, Zoé Ast taught at a school in Bonnevoie. This September, however, she will be transferring to a school in Kehlen.
She has always wanted to become a teacher. "As a student, I didn’t always have the best grades," Zoé spoke openly about her time in primary school. "Learning always seemed difficult for me, but my mother always encouraged me. This is why I wanted to become a teacher, to help students who, like me, also struggle with learning."
If any readers are interested in getting involved at the Red Cross rescue dog service, please contact the Red Cross by dialling +352 2755 2000 or, even better, attend a training session.
