AVALANCHE SEARCH AND RESCUE

WHITEFISH, MONTANA

"Dogs...some of the best adventure companions one can find. They are unmatched in their loyalty, eager to be outside regardless of the weather, generally agreeable with their owner's sense of direction, and can provide an additional level of safety in the outdoors. What more can you ask for in an outdoor adventure pal? How about a search-and-rescue dog who loves the snow and is trained for recovering avalanche burial victims?

Outdoor Adventure Dogs continues with Episode 4, featuring a working avalanche rescue dog, Jett, and his owner, Lloyd Morsett, a professional ski patroller and head of Whitefish Mountain Resort's Avalanche Rescue Dog program in northwest Montana.

You can learn more about Jett's story in the interview with Lloyd below." - Aron Bosworth

SOCIAL TEASERS

LLOYD MORSETT INTERVIEW ON DOG JETT

OP: What type of dog is Jett? What’s his personality like?

Lloyd: Jett is a smooth coat border collie. He is a very friendly, sometimes crazy working machine. Give him a job and he’s the happiest dog on the planet.

OP: How long have you been involved with both ski patrol and avalanche rescue dog training?

Lloyd: I have been a professional ski patroller for 20 years and have been involved with training avalanche rescue dogs for 17 of those years, first in Colorado.

OP: What’s the story behind finding Jett? How old was he?

Lloyd: When I came onto patrol at Whitefish, my manager asked me if I was interested in starting an avalanche rescue dog program here because he knew my history with dogs in Colorado. My wife and I immediately started our search for a dog, which led us through many rescue organizations and shelters, and after approximately a year of searching we came across Jett, who seemed like the perfect fit for our family and for the work that I do here on the mountain. When we came across Jett through the Western Border Collie Rescue out of Wyoming, he was about a year old. Jett is now 5 years old.

OP: What role do you and Jett play at Whitefish Mountain Resort? What does a typical day look like for you both?

Lloyd: I am the Snow Safety Coordinator at Whitefish Mountain Resort and am responsible for avalanche mitigation, forecasting and snow safety, and rescue training. Our day begins by looking at weather and snowpack observations in order to make a plan for the day. We then meet with the rest of the crew to discuss our daily operations plan, priorities for the day, and training. We then head up the mountain to work though the daily risk management work of avalanche mitigation, trail openings, signs, closures, and general guest service. Jett and I try to squeeze in several drills per week, always working on the foundations of avalanche search and rescue and obedience.

OP: Why is rescuing animals needed?

Lloyd: There are just too many dogs out there that need homes. The perfect home is out there somewhere for every dog.

OP: What advice would you give people interested in getting a dog from a rescue?

Lloyd: The best advice is be patient. If you force a dog into a home situation that doesn’t work, no one will be happy.

OP: What about any advice for those desiring a dog as an adventure companion?

Lloyd: Make certain you choose a family member that meets your realistic needs. Don’t fool yourself into getting a high energy dog if your lifestyle calls for a couch potato.