Most people love spending the day at the beach. Sifting your toes through the sand, soaking up the sun, and splashing through the cool water are ideal summer pastimes. A day at the beach, however, is not without its dangers, which is why it's always reassuring to have a lifeguard on duty.
But what if that lifeguard was a dog? At a beach in southwest Maine, that’s exactly what you’ll find. A two-year-old Newfoundland named Beacon joined the lifeguard crew of Scarborough Beach State Park last summer, followed this year by newcomer Buoy (also a Newfoundland), who recently celebrated his first birthday. They are the only ocean lifeguard dogs in the United States.
As second responders, Buoy and Beacon have been trained to aid human lifeguards in rescuing swimmers in need. It's their job to help pull floating rescue equipment, thus bringing injured or distressed swimmers (and the accompanying human lifeguards) back to safety. Each dog is capable of pulling up to four people to shore.
The dogs were trained by the American Academy of Canine Water Rescue, a nonprofit organization based in Massachusetts, though they continue their training daily with the Scarborough Beach lifeguards. In their role as canine lifeguards, Buoy and Beacon have helped inspire increased awareness of public safety. They're also a hit with beachgoers, especially children, who frequently come up to the lifeguard stand so they can pet the dogs.
Baywatch, canine edition:
- The Italian School of Rescue Dogs has been training lifeguard dogs for around 30 years and was responsible for certifying the trainers at the American Academy of Canine Water Rescue.
- There are around 300 rescue dogs actively patroling 30 Italian beaches – with the help of human handlers, of course. In 2021, three rescue dogs named Eros, Mya, and Mira helped bring 14 swimmers to shore when high winds struck a beach in Sperlonga.
- Newfoundlands and Labrador Retrievers are particularly well-suited for water rescues. Both dog breeds naturally love the water and are exceptional swimmers, in part because of their large paws. A Newfoundland’s thick coat also allows it to stay warm in cold water.