Meet Donna, the SAPS K9 that is being hailed a hero for sniffing out an 80-year-old woman trapped under rubble in Turkey – Gift of the Givers has shared a little information about her and her handler Warrant Officer Tinalia Gouws.
Hatay, Turkey (15 February 2023) – Earlier this week, Gift of the Givers – Syria, shared the incredible news that an 80-year-old woman had been found alive in the rubble of a collapsed building, after 6 days. She was found by a K9 from the South African Police Service. Since sharing the incredible news, the team have shared more information about the K9 and her handler.
Donna and her handler Warrant Officer Gouws have joined search and rescue teams from South Africa, brought together by Gift of the Givers, to assist the country of Turkey.
The teams were deployed to the hardest hit city of Hatay where efforts have been underway to clear as many collapsed buildings as possible to recover the bodies trapped beneath the city. The city fell in the early hours on the 6th of February 2023 when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook Turkey and neighbouring Syria. The disaster has been heartbreaking to see as the death toll keeps rising each day.
Donna and Warrant Officer Tinalia Gouws joined the South African delegation of rescuers, along with the second group sent over. Donna is joined by Optimus and his handler Warrant Officer Martin Bann. Between them, they have identified 25 people so far!
“Hats off to Donna, the sniffer dog who was the first to pick up the scent of a live 80-year-old woman in the rubble in Hatay! This dog used her incredible sense of smell to lead her handler, Warrant Officer Gouws, to the woman who was miraculously found alive. Congratulations to both Donna and Warrant Officer Gouws for their tireless and outstanding effort.” – Gift of the Givers Syria
The team from SARZA captured a beautiful image of Donna taking a well deserved break, keeping cosy between the rescue equipment.
You can see the moment the elderly lady was pulled from the rubble below.
If you would like to support the people of Syria and Turkey, you can do so by supporting Gift of the Givers here or donating via BackaBuddy here.
You can also stay up to date on the team’s work within the two countries by following Gift of the Givers on Facebook.
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