Confidence can't be trained overnight. The Northstar Avalanche Rescue Dog team builds it through years of deliberate practice, exposing their dogs to storms, deep snow, night searches, and changing terrain until very little can surprise them when an avalanche happens. That's the work Banshee, Ripp, and Oakley do, three teammates training year-round for the moment someone truly needs them.
Banshee, Ripp, and Oakley are best friends, but they're also competitive, learning from one another and pushing each other to work harder. As the newest member of the team, Oakley gets to watch and train alongside the more experienced Banshee and Ripp as he works toward becoming a validated avalanche rescue dog. That drive to keep up with each other is part of what keeps them so motivated — three dogs, each raising the bar for the other two.
Every dog on this team works alongside a handler who dedicates the same hours of training: Ripp with Malea Jordan, Banshee with George Meres, Oakley with Chris Moore. These duos prove that trust this strong doesn't happen overnight; it's earned one search, one storm, and one long day on the mountain at a time. Their bond is every bit as important as the friendship between the dogs themselves.
Avalanche rescue work demands a lot of a dog's body: fast travel across the mountain, searches that can last minutes or hours, and the strength and recovery to do it again tomorrow. That's why the Northstar team trusts Nulo's high-protein, low-carb recipes to keep Banshee, Ripp, and Oakley fueled and ready for whatever the job demands.
Follow the team on Instagram | @nar_dogs
