A rescue dog which was seriously injured has taken part in her first rescue operation since her recovery, helping to save a couple lost in the Kaimai Range.
Police have praised specialist search and rescue dog Gemma and her handler for finding a husband and wife at the weekend.
Gemma, Graeme Hill - a volunteer from LandSAR - alongside visual tracker Matt Hassard found the lost hunters.
The German Shepherd had recently undergone significant surgery after suffering from a serious injury to her hind legs, and it was the first search she had taken part in since.
She had seven months rehabilitation, including physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.
Gemma is used by LandSAR to support police operations, but she is not a police dog herself, so a Givealittle page helped to raise $7500 for her treatment.
Those funds, and treatment after her surgery by Hamilton company Hydropaws, meant "Gemma and her handler were able to contribute to the success of the operation", district search and rescue coordinator Sergeant Vince Ranger says.
Sgt Ranger says Sunday's rescue completed the circle for Gemma of being trained, injured, operated on, rehabilitated and recertified.
"Police believe the wider Waikato community are fortunate to have the skills and dedication of Gemma and her handler and it's thanks to those people who gave a little who enabled them to give a lot," says Sgt Ranger.
Police say Sunday's search relied heavily on the support of LandSAR volunteers, and generous members of the public helped to find the missing couple.
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