The dog has wolf, husky, and Akita bloodlines in equal amounts. The other two dogs in the program are still undergoing education and training in order to receive certification, making him the oldest dog at Loveland Ski Resort by a significant margin.
Zuma, who is still alive and well, will be able to teach those young pups and their handlers the ropes of how to hunt for avalanche debris following a slide. The competitive spirit has a role in that.
As Tanner Franti, Zuma’s handler, put it, “They are like athletes.” “They want to be on the field, they want to be called up, so if a working dog is on the sidelines and watches other dogs performing it does generate some competition and gins up their drive,” the trainer said.
All of this has to be learned by Zuma on his own. Loveland Ski Resort now uses a cycle system for search and rescue dogs, allowing the more experienced dogs to mentor the less experienced dogs, but Zuma is just the first to benefit from this. Despite being 10 years old and nearing the end of his career, the dog is still in the game longer than most because to hereditary advantages.
With his long legs and lightweight physique, Zuma has some genetic advantages and is designed to sprint and be in the snow, according to Franti.
He now provides solace to his staff in addition to the skiers and riders on the mountain. Franti has the added tools he needs to be successful and effective because Zuma is dependable and consistent, and having him at his side throughout rescues and recoveries.
We will always find something there once he starts digging, Franti said. “Anytime he has stuck his nose down I’m convinced he is on a mission,” Franti added. We continue to receive reliable signals from him as a result of our training and the trials we subject him to, which is another reason we remain confident in him.
His proprietor Mary Lorch has a long association with Loveland as a volunteer and ski patroller. She said that while she is proud of the dog, his legacy is not what comes to mind.
Lorch laughed and remarked, “It’s not about me, I just enjoy seeing what he is doing.
No matter how effective a dog, rescue team, or helicopter is at finding someone trapped in the snow, Franti said the dogs teach one of the biggest lessons that the best bet is still having a friend nearby who is well-equipped. This illustrates the need to stay up to date on avalanche training and gear when traveling in risky areas.
Visit Zuma’s Facebook page if you want to see more of him. According to CBS News Colorado Mountain Newsroom Reporter Spencer Wilson, Zuma enjoys receiving scratches on his booty and small pieces of hot dogs.
