Saint Bernard dogsone of national symbols of Switzerland and internationally known because they help rescue climbers, they are now saving people in other ways too.

The Barry Foundation (Barry Foundation), a non-profit organization that in 2005 took over the breeding of these dogs from the oldest St. Bernard kennels high in the Swiss mountainshas helped evolve them into a new role as therapy and training support dogs for vulnerable people.

“St. Bernard dogs are today a breed that works on the social front”says Andrea Zollinger, a spokeswoman for the foundation, during a visit to its kennels in the town of Martini, near the borders with Italy and France.

“Dogs they work in hospitals, nursing homes with senior citizens. They help people undergoing treatment, meet with children and prisoners. They work miracles.”

The dogs take part every year in around 600 expeditions across Switzerland. They support the well-being of people with disorders on the autism spectrum and other special needs and help professionals in the work of psycho-physical and psycho-social rehabilitation.

“They’re happy to participate,” Zolinger says. “They like it”.

The visitors they can also see the dogs at Barrylanda theme park that has a museum and facilities for dogs.

“A powerful symbol”

On August 28 seven puppies, five female and two male, were born to one of the Barry Foundation dogs, Roxy.

Puppies are just starting to explore their surroundings, playing in the grass and starting to eat from feeders.

They are descendants of Barry I, a Saint Bernard dog that in the early 19th century had saved the lives of more than 40 people on the Great St. Bernard Pass.

Like its predecessors, Barry I lived in the refuge founded in the 11th century by monks to assist pilgrims and other travelers making the perilous journey through the Alps.

Chronicles of travelers and stories from soldiers who crossed the pass in 1800 with Napoleon helped establish the reputation of these dogs as loyal companions with excellent rescue potential.

“They have a great sense of smell”, says Ann Holzer, head of education at the Barry Foundation. “Since they are tall and large, the dogs were used to clear the snow from the walkway to the passage for the rescuers.”

Today rescues in the Alps are done with the help of smaller dogswhich can be transported more easily by helicopter, compared to St. Bernard dogs.

Nevertheless Switzerland remains just as attached to her beloved dog.

“It is a very strong symbol of Switzerland”, says Zolinger. “I think there are a lot of people who are committed to keeping this dog in good shape and up to breed standards.”