'Velcro' bond keeps rescue dog ready to go

Lanza the four-year-old german shepherd has been back out on the water training with Coastguard Sumner.

Lanza and her handler Giuliana Petronelli took part in a training session with Coastguard Sumner to prepare dogs for rescue situations involving water.

“We work well together. It helps to have a good working relationship in any team,” she said.

Though based in Sumner Giuliana and Lanza are part of Rakaia Land Search and Rescue. This was the organisation’s third combined training session with Coastguard Sumner.

“It's only going from strength to strength. I guess it highlights the importance of being in the community, knowing your community and being able to contribute that way,” Giuliana said.

“It is invaluable to operations.”

Giuliana’s wife Rosie, a Bayleys Sumner real estate agent, sponsors Lanza.

Rosie, who grew up in Sumner, funds the operational gear, such as tactical and tracking harnesses, lines and goggles, which enable Lanza to carry out rescues.

Said Giuliana: “In the absence of equipment it’s hard to do your job and it’s safety. I’m keeping the dog safe by having the right equipment.”

Lanza’s mother Malizia and grandmother Lupa live with Giuliana and Rosie.

The couple also have a five-year-old and 18-month-old daughters.

When Lanza was about two, they decided to join the Rakaia Land Search and Rescue team.

"It's having a dog with a job, being able to work with your best mate are all things that are pretty important,” said Giuliana.

“And then from a bigger perspective, it's helping and contributing to a community, being able to bring loved ones home.”

Giuliana comes from a long line of police officers in the family, which also inspired her to help others. Prior to going on parental leave, she was a practicing lawyer, specialising in disputes, resolution and employment.

She plans to return to the workforce in the next few months.

After 18 months of rigorous training, Giuliana and Lanza became a certified search and rescue team in October last year.

Rosie described Lanza as a “velcro” dog.

“They are inseparable, that dog loves Giuliana so much,” Rosie said.

Giuliana takes Lanza for two training sessions a week and an article search every other day to keep her prepared.

“You’re always training for the call that comes. You have to be on, ready to go,” Giuliana said.

“It's having family members that can pick up the slack at home or an employer that knows the importance of the job that you do for the community.”