RDTA International Rescue Dog Certification Test Held in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
Key facts
- RDTA International Rescue Dog Certification Test Held in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido
- The International Rescue Dog Certification Test, organized by the Rescue Dog Trainer Association (RDTA), will be held on June 13–14 in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido. Twenty-two rescue dogs from across Japan will compete to demonstrate their search capabilities in disaster scenarios.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 7, 2026
Direct answer
The International Rescue Dog Certification Test, organized by the Rescue Dog Trainer Association (RDTA), will be held on June 13–14 in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido. Twenty-two rescue dogs from across Japan will compete to demonstrate their search capabilities in disaster scenarios.
- Citation
- RDTA International Rescue Dog Certification Test Held in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido (June 7, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 7, 2026
The International Rescue Dog Certification Test, organized by the Rescue Dog Trainer Association (RDTA), will be held on June 13–14 in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido. Twenty-two rescue dogs from across Japan will compete to demonstrate their search capabilities in disaster scenarios.
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- 📰 Published: June 7, 2026 at 02:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 6, 2026 at 17:20
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 6, 2026 at 17:23 (2 min after Collected)
The International Rescue Dog Certification Test, organized by the Rescue Dog Trainer Association (RDTA)—a member of the International Rescue Dog Organization (IRO)—will take place from June 13 to 14 in Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido. The event, managed by the Hokkaido Disaster Rescue Dog (HDRD) non-profit organization, marks its fourth occurrence this year.
The test evaluates rubble search capabilities in simulated disaster-struck, collapsed buildings, divided into three levels: Level V (Beginner), Level A (Intermediate), and Level B (Advanced). Based on the International Rescue Dog Exam Regulations (IPO-R), the search capabilities and coordination between the rescue dog and handler will be evaluated.
This year, 22 dogs are scheduled to take the test, coming from Hokkaido as well as various prefectures nationwide including Aomori, Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Hiroshima. Additionally, rescue dogs from the Air Self-Defense Force Chitose Air Base and the Hokkaido Prefectural Police, which conduct joint training with the HDRD, will also participate.
The HDRD sets the activity standard at Level A (Intermediate) or higher in preparation for disaster deployments, and members work daily to improve their skills. Furthermore, after passing Level B (Advanced), candidates become eligible to challenge the Mission Readiness Test (MRT), which serves as an operational readiness standard.
In 2025, a pair consisting of the dog "Zeek" and handler Onodera from the HDRD achieved the first-ever certification in Hokkaido at the MRT exam held in Taiwan. With the MRT exam being held domestically in Japan this year, more pairs are aiming to qualify.
Comment from the representative of the managing organization, HDRD:
"We ask for everyone's understanding and support for the training and technical improvement of the rescue dogs who play active roles during disasters."
Event Details
《Date》 … June 13–14, 2026
《Location》 … Training House DOG TALK (207 Satsunai-cho, Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido)
《Judges》 … Hidehiro Murase (IRO International Rescue Dog Judge), Kaori Oshima (IRO International Rescue Dog Judge)
《Test Content》 … In accordance with the International Rescue Dog Exam Regulations (IPO-R) (final decisions subject to the judge's authority)
For more details, please visit the Rescue Dog Trainer Association website.
The test evaluates rubble search capabilities in simulated disaster-struck, collapsed buildings, divided into three levels: Level V (Beginner), Level A (Intermediate), and Level B (Advanced). Based on the International Rescue Dog Exam Regulations (IPO-R), the search capabilities and coordination between the rescue dog and handler will be evaluated.
This year, 22 dogs are scheduled to take the test, coming from Hokkaido as well as various prefectures nationwide including Aomori, Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Hiroshima. Additionally, rescue dogs from the Air Self-Defense Force Chitose Air Base and the Hokkaido Prefectural Police, which conduct joint training with the HDRD, will also participate.
The HDRD sets the activity standard at Level A (Intermediate) or higher in preparation for disaster deployments, and members work daily to improve their skills. Furthermore, after passing Level B (Advanced), candidates become eligible to challenge the Mission Readiness Test (MRT), which serves as an operational readiness standard.
In 2025, a pair consisting of the dog "Zeek" and handler Onodera from the HDRD achieved the first-ever certification in Hokkaido at the MRT exam held in Taiwan. With the MRT exam being held domestically in Japan this year, more pairs are aiming to qualify.
Comment from the representative of the managing organization, HDRD:
"We ask for everyone's understanding and support for the training and technical improvement of the rescue dogs who play active roles during disasters."
Event Details
《Date》 … June 13–14, 2026
《Location》 … Training House DOG TALK (207 Satsunai-cho, Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido)
《Judges》 … Hidehiro Murase (IRO International Rescue Dog Judge), Kaori Oshima (IRO International Rescue Dog Judge)
《Test Content》 … In accordance with the International Rescue Dog Exam Regulations (IPO-R) (final decisions subject to the judge's authority)
For more details, please visit the Rescue Dog Trainer Association website.
FAQ
今回の国際救助犬認定試験の開催場所と日時は？
2026年6月13日と14日の両日、北海道登別市札内町207番地のトレーニングハウス・DOG TALK内にて開催されます。
試験はどのような内容で行われますか？
国際救助犬試験規定（IPO-R）に基づき、災害時の倒壊家屋を想定した瓦礫捜索能力を審査します。試験はV段階（初級）、A段階（中級）、B段階（上級）の3区分で実施されます。
誰が受験しますか？
北海道内をはじめ、青森県、東京都、神奈川県、広島県など全国各地から22頭の救助犬が受験予定です。また、航空自衛隊千歳基地および北海道警察の救助犬も受験します。
MRT試験とは何ですか？
Mission Readiness Testの略称で、B段階（上級）合格後に挑戦可能な出動能力基準の試験です。
審査員は誰ですか？
IRO（国際救助犬連盟）国際救助犬審査員の村瀬英博氏と大島かおり氏が審査を担当します。