Bangkok – Two rescue dogs in Thailand briefly shifted their focus on Wednesday (April 2) from searching through rubble to offering emotional support. After five days of sniffing for survivors in the aftermath of last week’s earthquake, the golden retrievers took a moment to comfort families still awaiting news of their loved ones.

Wearing bright orange vests, the dogs visited a temporary shelter where relatives of the 72 missing gathered. Children stroked their fur, while others whispered softly to them, placing their hopes in the canines as they prepared to resume their search. For some, the brief encounter provided a glimmer of relief. Chanpen Keawnoi, whose mother and younger sister remain unaccounted for, shared, "They believe that as long as the dogs bark when they hear a signal, there’s still a chance someone is alive."

The dogs performed this comforting role for a few hours while rescue teams awaited further instructions. Search efforts in Bangkok have now exceeded 100 hours, with 15 confirmed deaths and no survivors found by early Wednesday. Beyond their life-saving abilities, search dogs can also offer emotional relief, said Susan Redmond, a senior K9 handler and training instructor. "Dogs have remarkable abilities, and simply touching one can provide comfort. They are well-trained and capable of handling both roles," she explained.

The 30-story building, the only one in Bangkok to completely collapse, was under construction when a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in neighboring Myanmar caused it to come crashing down within seconds, as captured in witness footage. An anti-corruption watchdog had previously raised concerns about irregularities in the building’s construction, and officials later discovered substandard steel in the wreckage. In response, Thailand has ordered safety inspections for approximately 11,000 privately owned high-rise buildings. Meanwhile, government surveys found severe damage in 34 out of 3,375 public buildings inspected nationwide.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.