The FunPark becomes a training ground for furry lifesavers
Niro always follows his nose through the PLAYMOBIL-FunPark. He has caught a scent and is heading straight for the big pirate ship. Together with his handler Dominik Vogel, he balances across the wobbly suspension bridge. The Ridgeback dog is searching for a missing person...
Of course, this scenario is just part of an important annual exercise - while the park is actually closed. Last Sunday, in keeping with a long tradition, we once again welcomed some very special guests. The rescue dog team from the Zirndorf volunteer fire brigade used the park grounds for an exercise. To train their detection skills under unusual conditions, the animal heroes and their handlers set off in search of hidden people. They had our outdoor area all to themselves, as we currently have Snoozing Time and are only opening the indoor climbing area. The winter season, featuring two large real ice rinks, starts on 30 November.
“For our dog team, training at the PLAYMOBIL-FunPark is an educational experience that is great fun,” says Monika Mitteis, head of the Zirndorf volunteer fire brigade's rescue dog team. “The playful and positive environment motivates our dogs and strengthens the bond between animals and humans - an important prerequisite for successfully searching for missing persons.” According to Mitteis, an extraordinary training session like this empowers the teams for real operations in the future. It also encourages the exchange with like-minded people who train with rescue dogs, too.
For many years now, the members of the Zirndorf fire brigade's rescue dog team have regularly come to the FunPark with their dogs for training when the outdoor area is closed to the public. A total of eight dogs and their handlers took part in the training this weekend. The 90,000 square metre area offers ideal conditions for dogs and humans to gain new experiences in a setting that has a variety of environmental stimuli. While training usually takes place in forests, fields or in the city, this time the aim was to find people hidden in the hall of mirrors of the knight's castle, in the dark belly of the pirate ship or high up in the adventure tree house. The many different surfaces, water areas, climbing and hiding places - where usually children are spending a day of play and adventure - faced the dogs with new challenges again and again. Team leader Mitteis, who has been training with her Labrador dog Gracie since 2018, emphasises: “We are very grateful for this opportunity. Where else do you have the chance to practise in such a unique area and under unusual conditions with the dogs, so that they are prepared for any future mission?”
Dog teams from other organisations also take the opportunity to train with us at the FunPark during the Snoozing Time. In this way, we support the important work of these organisations and the people behind them, who volunteer their time as rescuers together with their furry friends. During the Snoozing Time, only the indoor climbing area and the shop will be open to guests.
Over the coming days, we will also gradually transform our park into a unique winter wonderland. During our winter season starting on 30 November, in addition to mega skating fun on two real ice rinks, a magic trail around the pirate lake awaits you, as well as the large play city and the indoor climbing are inside the HOB-Center.
Images: private
