"In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, search-and-rescue dogs faced emotional strain as they encountered mostly deceased victims, which made it difficult for them to stay motivated. Trained specifically to find survivors, the absence of living individuals took a psychological toll, with many dogs showing signs of stress and depression.
To help counter this, handlers and rescue teams began staging mock rescues, allowing the dogs to experience successful finds. By hiding themselves in the rubble for the dogs to discover, workers offered the positive reinforcement needed to keep the dogs engaged. These simulated rescues helped restore the dogs’ sense of purpose and focus during the operation.
The staged scenarios became essential in maintaining the dogs’ mental well-being and ensuring they could continue working effectively in such a demanding environment. The strong bond between each dog and its handler played a crucial role in sustaining their resilience and performance throughout the emotionally difficult recovery efforts."
To help counter this, handlers and rescue teams began staging mock rescues, allowing the dogs to experience successful finds. By hiding themselves in the rubble for the dogs to discover, workers offered the positive reinforcement needed to keep the dogs engaged. These simulated rescues helped restore the dogs’ sense of purpose and focus during the operation.
The staged scenarios became essential in maintaining the dogs’ mental well-being and ensuring they could continue working effectively in such a demanding environment. The strong bond between each dog and its handler played a crucial role in sustaining their resilience and performance throughout the emotionally difficult recovery efforts."
Valentyn Frechka, a 23-year-old from Ukraine, has developed a way to turn fallen leaves into biodegradable paper without cutting trees. His startup, Releaf Paper, transforms autumn waste into eco-friendly products—preserving forests, reducing emissions, and offering a sustainable alternative to traditional paper.