Sun Valley's Avalanche Dogs support the Sun Valley Ski Patrol team on Dollar and Bald Mountains by locating people who have been buried in the snow during an avalanche or skiing mishap. They alert their handlers about where victims are buried by digging in the snow, which signals to patrol members to begin the difficult process of extrication and saving lives.

Arizona Search Dogs assist in locating, rescuing, and initial stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces. Structural collapse is most often the cause of victims being unable to escape, but victims may also be trapped in transportation accidents, mines, collapsed trenches and most recently in their own homes and businesses. They are considered a “multi-hazard” discipline, as they may be leveraged in a variety of emergencies or disasters.

The Jackson Hole Avalanche Dogs are the hardest working canines in their valley. Day in and day out they work alongside ski patrol practicing search and rescue techniques. They are trained to locate buried or missing skiers, snowmobilers, hikers, and climbers, and are often dispatched to avalanche sites with helicopters as part of larger rescue units.