In an interview with 24.kg, volunteers shared stories about the famous Barkhan, their mission in Turkey after the earthquake, and how they search for missing children. They also discussed why they still have to call taxis to get to the places of calls, despite their important work.
The Famous Barkhan: How One Dog Inspired the Creation of the Center
The canine center "Rescuer" was founded in 2019 thanks to a German shepherd named Barkhan. As noted by its chairperson, canine specialist, and trainer Elena Gatyzhskaya, this dog had unique abilities — he was a natural tracker.
Barkhan not only sought to find people but also enjoyed the process itself.
The first serious test for Barkhan and his owner was the disappearance of an elderly woman in Bishkek, who went missing in the "Dordoy" market area. After several days of fruitless searching, they were called for help. Barkhan was able to trace the woman's path and indicate the places where she stopped. However, the trail soon went cold, and it became clear that she had likely moved to another area. Later, her body was found.
After this, there was a case involving a missing child, where Barkhan once again demonstrated his unique abilities, which inspired the creation of a full-fledged canine center.
LiSa: The Versatile Tracker and Heir to the Talent
After some time, Barkhan had a daughter named LiSa. She inherited her father's abilities but turned out to be more independent. While Barkhan primarily worked as a tracker, LiSa, affectionately called LiSunya, became a versatile search dog capable of searching both on land and under debris or in water, even finding the deceased.
Canine specialists explain that dogs search differently depending on the conditions. Immediately after a person goes missing, they can pick up the faintest scent particles, but after a couple of days, when the scents settle, the dog may lose the trail.
In the case of searches in water bodies, the dog focuses on the scent of decay that rises above the water's surface. Even if the body ends up on the shore, it will be searched for from a boat — there, the scent is preserved better.
In real searches, canine specialists rely solely on the dogs. Even if relatives point to one side, the rescuers follow the dogs' indications, which have never let them down over the years of work.
The Tragedy in Kemin: Seven Days of Searching in Hope
In September 2025, a child went missing in the Kemin district. Up to a thousand people participated in the search, including volunteers from Kazakhstan.
During the search, a boy's slipper was found, raising concerns about a possible abduction. On the third day of the search, LiSa arrived, indicating that the child's trail led to a river, and the search continued from a boat.
On the seventh day of the search, hope was fading: crowds of people, cars, and dust significantly complicated the task for the dog.
Relatives asked the canine specialists to go again with LiSa — more for moral support. LiSa had already sniffed the child's belongings, but when one of the men brought out a large bag with a baby blanket, the dog rushed to him and buried herself in the blanket, then ran towards the river.
This confirmed that the trail was picked up, and a boat was needed. The organizers did not have their own, but two were sent from Kazakhstan. Within half an hour, the rescuers figured out the mechanism and set out on the water.
Unfortunately, the child was found dead — he had drowned.
The Psychology of Search Dogs: How They Cope with Loss
The result of the work of search dogs does not always involve finding living people. Even if the trail breaks off, the dog indicates a direction, allowing rescuers to change tactics and check hospitals, shelters, and neighboring areas. Even finding a body is an important result, allowing relatives to say goodbye to their loved ones.
However, for dogs, such finds can be difficult. Frequent searches for the deceased reduce their motivation — the thrill disappears, and apathy sets in. To cope with this, staged searches are conducted, creating a situation where the dog finds a living person, which restores its desire to work. In this aspect, they are very similar to humans.
Onli — The Only Active Rescue Dog in Kyrgyzstan
Onli is the only active search dog in the country, which means that all the search burden falls on her. She has already found three living people.
Onli is an energetic German shepherd brought from Kazakhstan. Canine specialist Svetlana reports that the now six-year-old dog is a full-fledged citizen of Kyrgyzstan and has a passport.
During our conversation with the canine specialists, Onli is eagerly ready to work, carefully surveying the surrounding area. According to Svetlana, meeting Elena is a signal for Onli to start searching, and the dogs especially love this moment.
The center employs only a few people: canine specialists Elena, Svetlana, and Dmitry, as well as senior coordinator Melina. This small team bears all the responsibility for organizing searches and deployments.
Lack of Support: Why Rescuers Use Taxis
According to canine specialists, government support for rescuers and volunteers in Kyrgyzstan is virtually non-existent. In other countries, there are grants for such initiatives, but in Kyrgyzstan, there are none, despite the fact that volunteers actively help in the search for missing persons and cleaning natural areas.
There is also a problem with training. There are places, but they are prohibited from working there. The city has many abandoned buildings where dogs could be trained for searches under debris, but training must take place in different locations.
All the funds that volunteers have go towards the dogs: their medical treatment, equipment, and training. This is an expensive job, but for them, it is a way of life.
The center does not have a vehicle, so they are forced to use taxis, and not all drivers agree to transport dogs. Often, caring individuals come to the rescue.
New canine specialists do not come because all equipment must be purchased at their own expense, and there are no conditions for training. The center is constantly looking for volunteers with dogs. The requirements for them are simple: age from four months to five years, no fears or health problems, and up-to-date vaccinations. All breeds are suitable, except for brachycephalics.
The "Golden Hour" Rule: The Importance of the First Hours of Search
In Kyrgyzstan's legislation, there is no rule stating that a report of a missing person can only be filed after three days. The police are required to accept it immediately.
It is necessary to act quickly. The first hours after a disappearance are the most critical: it is possible to track cameras, interview witnesses, and begin searches while the trail is still fresh. After contacting the police, canine specialists can be called, but without an official report, they will not start working. They are often approached by employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Emergency Situations, with whom the center has signed a memorandum of cooperation.
Mission in Turkey: Exclusive Conditions for Four-Legged Heroes
After the devastating earthquake in Turkey, the center independently offered its assistance. There was no space on the Ministry of Emergency Situations' flight, so the trip was organized at their own expense. One caring individual bought the necessary items for the rescuers.
Turkish Airlines allocated seats for the dogs, but they flew on their owners' laps: LiSa with Elena, Bernese mountain dog Teya with rescuer Ani, and Barkhan had a whole seat. At the airports, other passengers and workers asked to remove the muzzles from the dogs, which indicated the kind attitude of the Turks towards them.
The flight consisted of three parts, and at the airports, the team was given separate rooms, supporting the rescuers and thanking the dogs for their work.
On-site, they were given three locations to search for bodies. The dogs became very tired. Barkhan caught a cold in his shoulder and injured his paw, so he returned home on painkillers.
During the flight, the medication stopped working, and he began to whimper. An impressionable flight attendant hugged him, cried, and expressed her gratitude for the help. It was very touching.
For the return flight, Turkish Airlines provided business class seats for the rescuers.
The Departure of Legends: The Lack of New Dogs in the Center
At the moment, Elena Gatyzhskaya does not have her own dog. This is due to two reasons: one is psychological, as Barkhan and LiSa passed away one after the other. Barkhan lived for 11.5 years, and LiSa for 6. Both were family members, and the loss was too heavy. The wounds from the loss have not yet healed, and Elena is not ready to start all over again.
The second reason is financial. Search dogs are expensive, and their maintenance, training, and veterinary services require constant investment. Currently, there is no possibility for that.
Why specifically a German shepherd? This is Elena's passion, the love of her life. Some people prefer Labradors or Pomeranians, but she prefers shepherds.
Despite this, she continues to work, train others, and participate in searches. Even without her own dog, she remains the soul of the canine center.
