Mandy Geisler grew up immersed in the ski industry. So, looking for a job at a ski resort post-college felt natural. When she sat down for her first ski patrol interview at Park City Mountain Resort in 2008, an avalanche rescue dog immediately captivated her attention and altered the trajectory of her life. “I was drawn to that dog because I’m the person who sits with the dog at a social event. They’re my people,” she laughs.She landed the ski patrol job at Park City Mountain Resort and started working with rescue dogs that year. “My introduction to them was through our dog program at the resort,” she explains. Her first rescue dog-related activities encompassed hiding in the snow and rewarding the dogs with play. This led to a more formal form of mentorship that included stepping in to help handlers with a dog – like transporting them around the mountain or watching the dog while the handler took a vacation.As a surrogate handler, she began attending trainings with Wasatch Backcountry Rescue (WBR), one of the older rescue dog schools in the country. “My dog and I work for Park City Mountain Resort. It’s also an expectation that we participate in trainings through the nonprofit WBR so we can be a rescue team that the Sheriff can call.”After a decade of working with rescue dogs, Geisler got her chance to become a primary handler when the resort was ready to employ a new dog. “I had the experience, the living situation, the support, and the passion to want to do it,” she recalls. “It’s a year-long commitment.”Geisler brought Kiki home around seven or eight weeks old, and they’ve been training and working together since then. “Kiki is my whole world. She is the biggest priority in my life,” she explains. During the off-season, Geisler works with Kiki to ensure she is mentally engaged, continuously sharpening her obedience skills, and staying fit.The training and off-season activities are all to guarantee when ski season starts, Kiki and Geisler are prepared to handle a day on the job. “Going to work with her, the biggest priority is usually her safety. It’s like taking a toddler to your job. You have to constantly keep an eye on her, know where she is, what she needs, and what she’s doing at all times. It’s all about taking care of her and keeping her healthy so that she can be ready to respond at a moment’s notice.”Credit: Courtesy of Matt ChiricoThe most important thing to know about avalanche rescue dogs is that they can locate a victim without an avalanche transceiver or a beacon. “Dogs can smell you through the snow. That’s how they’re finding you.” Given the nature of avalanche incidents, it’s often a body recovery when the Sheriff calls a rescue team. “It’s not a light thing to respond to somebody’s worst day,” Geisler says. “Having the levity of a dog in a situation like that can help in other ways, too.”Yet Kiki and Geisler always train for the best scenario, a live recovery. “When people are missing, dogs are such a valuable resource and getting them there sooner rather than later could change an outcome,” she continues. At work, they train to respond as quickly as possible, always seeking to eliminate minutes or seconds from their time moving from call to mock rescue locations.Credit: Courtesy of Mandy GeislerSeeing the friendly face of an avalanche rescue dog can be a highlight when visiting the resort. It’s important to remember these dogs are working professionals. Geisler encourages people who encounter dogs in uniform to ask before approaching and understand that the dog and the handler may be in a hurry or responding to an incident. “Ask us if you can interact with us or ask questions,” Geisler reminds. “Also, keep your distance so the dogs can stay safe and work a long career.” See more in the 2024/25 Winter Adventure Guide magazine.The post Meet Avalanche Rescue Team Mandy and Kiki appeared first on Park Record.