Find travelers dispersed for bad weather or even buried by the Slavine: this was the task of San Bernardothe dogs with an imposing size and good eyes that appeared for the first time in the 16th century on the snowy peaks of the Swiss. At 2500 meters, among the snows that covered the alpine step divided between Italy and Switzerland, an obligatory passage also for the pilgrims of the Via Francigena who, after Aosta, focused on Rome, the San Bernardo became increasingly famous for their ability to rescue who had been overwhelmed by the snowstarting with Barry, the most famous among them, who between 1800 and 1812 rescued more than 40 people.
The new mission
Today also for these Molossoids the times have changed and, consequently, their duties. The San Bernardo pass, since the tunnel was built, remains closed until spring and there are no more pilgrims to be saved. And for the magnificent San Bernardo, who for 300 years have continued to be raised by Congregation of the canons of the Pass Staying on guard of the valley, today there is one new mission: be where you need to support Elderly, sick and children. No longer rescue dog in the middle of the snow of snow, but dog trained to help in hospitals, prisons, schools. «Since 2005 the Fondation Barry He detected the legendary breeding of San Bernardo dogs – he explains Andrea Zollinger, Responsible for the institutional communication of the Foundation. – For twenty years he ensured the maintenance of the 300 years old tradition of this Swiss national symbolalso entrusting him with a new mission worthy of him: The former rescue and avalanche dog has become a dog used for social activities and therapeutic purposes».
Their commitment for the disabled, sick and children in difficulty
The San Bernardo, whose presence has been documented iconographically since 1695 and which were remembered for their prowess also by the soldiers of Napoleon who in the 19th century crossed their pace, are now engaged in support activities concerning all of Switzerland. «We arrive in requests from different institutions that deal with people disabled, sick, children in difficulty. We have a list of requests and, after careful evaluation, we send our dogs ». That in the meantime they have become 32 and that they continue to live in the same spaces where their ancestors lived. «One of the activities with animals is, for example, to visit nursing and rest homes to bring a diversion into the daily life of the residents. Or we offer targeted help in support programs, for example For patients with dementia. We also carry out interventions in the Swiss prisonswhere we help detainees to reintegrate into social and civil life and to take on responsibilities ».
In Martigny the center that welcomes visitors
Their new mission in hospitals and rehabilitation centers does not however exclude their presence in the headquarters of the Foundation a Martignyal Passo del Gran San Bernardo Which, like dogs, takes its name from the monk who first built a refuge for pilgrims passing through the Francigena. “Not all dogs are designed for assistance – explains Andrea. – of the 32 that currently live in the center, about ten are intended for social purposes twhich, very important, support for autistic children. For the others there are instead the activities here in the Center: welcome to the guests who come to visit it ».
In June opens Barryland, the thematic park to learn about them
For them 2025 will be a particular year because in June it will open Barrylanda thematic park spread over 22 thousand square meters that will serve to spread the history of these extraordinary dogs. «We want visitors to discover the facets of this breed. For this we have created five areas to discover their main character strokes: rescuer, friend, star, playful and bon vivant». Obviously the San Bernarno can be encountered, observing the activities in which they are engaged in their pits or in the treatments room. And if you are lucky, there will be the little ones, perhaps just born.
Source: Vanity Fair
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