A group of rescue dogs in Italy is giving a whole new meaning to the term “water dogs.” Paddling their way through a gorgeous Italian lake, dozens of dogs and their humans are training to become Scuola Italiana Cinofilia Sportiva (SICS) certified nautical rescue dogs.

This volunteer-led organization in Italy has been training humans and dogs to do daring ocean rescues for over 30 years, which has led to hundreds of lives being saved. The Canine Units of the Italian Rescue Dog School have set the gold standard for training rescue dogs.

These dogs and their humans are trained to become “six-legged” rescue teams (dogs have four legs while their humans have two). According to the SICS, there are currently 300 dogs from the Italian Rescue Dogs School operating around Italy.

Sporting their canine life vests, these dogs survey Italy’s beaches, constantly on the lookout for beachgoers in need. In addition to all of their aquatic training, these dogs and their handlers must also be skilled at public relations and water safety.

Unsurprisingly, they are very popular with just about everyone they meet everywhere they go. They are not, however, dogs from shelters. These dogs, along with their humans, are volunteers.

The Training

Even though they are volunteers, their training is very rigorous. They undergo strenuous swimming exercises like in the clip above, and various nautical sports and exercise training, and even learn how to deploy from helicopters, patrol boats, and jet skis.

Related: This Adorable, Clumsy Labrador Retriever Might Be the Least Coordinated Water Dog Ever

The Italian Dog Rescue School collaborated with the Italian Air Force to develop the dogs’ helicopter deployment techniques. Unsurprisingly, the Italian Dog Rescue School has set a “global benchmark” for nautical rescue dog training.

True Canine Heroes

For more than 30 years, dogs from the Italian Dog Rescue School have saved an average of 35 people every summer. That’s more than 1,000 lives saved.

Most of those rescues happen while these dogs and their humans are doing beach patrols. They work in conjunction with the Italian Port Authority and emergency medical services so that they are ready to respond to any type of emergency.

With these dogs and their humans collectively patrolling the beaches for thousands of hours every summer, their presence is crucial for keeping Italy’s beaches safe.

Their remarkable training and dedication have led to these dogs and the organization that trains them being highly esteemed, both in Italy and abroad.

But these dogs don’t just keep beachgoers safe; the Italian Rescue Dog School’s canine units do so much more. They also serve as ambassadors for marine safety in Italian schools, support the disabled, and provide assistance in pediatric wards and hospices.

As anybody who has seen the above video knows, these dogs also know how to put a smile on anyone’s face.

SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Jun 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.