A search dog is retiring after a decade of service and nearly 150 searches for vulnerable missing people. Springer spaniel Millie, 11, was deployed on her last call out on Sunday after serving with Search Dogs Sussex since 2014. Millie is owned by dog handler Darren Yeates, from Worthing, who volunteers for the charity, which is part of Lowland Rescue.
Darren Yeates with his spaniels, Millie and Koda (Image: Submitted) Darren said: “Lowland rescue covers a bigger area than mountain rescue. Mountain Rescue is looking for people who generally want to be found or know they’re lost. They do more rescuing and less searching “We do the opposite.
We rescue people who don’t know they’re lost or don’t want to be found such as those who have dementia, mental health issues or those who might be suicidal.” Millie with her owner and handler Darren Yeates (Image: Submitted) The team can only be called out by Sussex Police and is on call 24/7, 365 days a year. There are generally 30 to 60 call outs a year.
The team is entirely volunteer run with some 40 people and 15 dogs, five of who are qualified. All the dogs are pets, which means they live with their handlers. It takes between two to five years for a dog to qualify, with formal training every week and “considerable training” around these sessions.
Dogs must pass national assessments to qualify. Darren said: “It’s a huge commitment and demanding. We’re being asked to look for someone potentially in need of medical.
