easyJet has partnered with Search & Rescue Dog Association Ireland North (SARDA IN) to permit its working dogs to travel in the airline’s cabins on flights leaving the UK for free.
The charity will use the offer to assist with international crises, allowing for faster response times to emergencies and reducing the stress and risks of other forms of transportation for the dogs. SARDA IN has been providing specialist search and rescue services for over 40 years, with the highly-trained dogs performing tasks such as locating high-risk and vulnerable missing people in environments including mountains, open countryside, forests, urban zones, watercourses, and disaster areas.
“As a volunteer-based organisation and registered charity, SARDA IN deeply values the critical support provided by easyJet,” said Raph O’Connor, SARDA IN Training Officer. “Their offer of free flights enables our dedicated handlers and highly trained USAR dogs to be rapidly deployed to international disaster zones. This invaluable assistance will ensure that we can reach those in urgent need without delay, allowing us to focus on saving lives, knowing that travel logistics are no longer a barrier.”
By leveraging easyJet’s 120 destinations across Europe and North Africa, the life-saving pups can be easily deployed by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Services, Mountain Rescue Teams, and the Gardai, among other service bodies.
“easyJet is incredibly proud to be able to support Search & Rescue Dog Association Ireland North,” said Ali Gayward, easyJet UK Country Manager. “As the largest airline in the UK and Northern Ireland, it is a great privilege for us to be able to offer our network of over 560 routes from 21 UK airports to help their teams deploy quickly to wherever they are needed most for their life-saving missions.”
Photo: easyJet
