When we hear the news of a desperate search, we are all shaken, we think of our loved ones and we share the concern felt by relatives and friends. The race against time begins, as the first 24 hours can be crucial, and we wait in dread for the news.

Statistics show that most missing elderly individuals are those who cannot care for themselves and suffer from cognitive impairments or mental decline. These individuals often wander off without knowing where they are going. People with dementia have difficulty orienting themselves in time and space. They are usually searched for with significant efforts in the field because they are among those who cannot find their way back on their own, often with tragic consequences.

Echo and Faith

The ECHO Search and Rescue unit was created to fill a gap in the specialised field of search and rescue in Hungary: locating deceased persons and human remains – even underwater. At the heart of the team are HRD-K9 (Human Remains Detection) dogs, also known as "cadaver" dogs, specially trained for this purpose.

The team leader, József Losonczi, has many years of experience in canine rescue, having previously learned the ins and outs of search and rescue dog work as a key member of a recognised special rescue unit.

Based on our experience, we have seen that some dog rescue organisations in Hungary do not place enough emphasis on actual field operations. In many cases, the focus is more on obtaining funding, and it is not always transparent whether these resources are used for rescue activities. We believe that all rescue work should be built on trust and transparency.

This is why we decided to establish a unit specifically dedicated to the real mission of search and support – especially in cases where the missing person is, unfortunately, no longer alive. Our aim is to help families find and bring home their loved ones so they can say goodbye with dignity.

When we hear the news of a desperate search, we are all shaken, we think of our loved ones and we share the concern felt by relatives and friends. The race against time begins, as the first 24 hours can be crucial, and we wait in dread for the news.

Statistics show that most missing elderly individuals are those who cannot care for themselves and suffer from cognitive impairments or mental decline. These individuals often wander off without knowing where they are going. People with dementia have difficulty

orienting themselves in time and space. They are usually searched for with significant efforts in the field because they are among those who cannot find their way back on their own, often with tragic consequences.

 Unfortunately, as time passes, one must prepare for the worst. In such cases, assistance from the civilian sector – especially the work of dogs trained in Human Remains Detection (HRD) – becomes vital. These dogs can be used in disaster situations and in missing persons cases where it is presumed that the missing individual is no longer alive.

Our team's main area of expertise is

As a specialised canine unit, we are particularly trained to find people who have been missing for a long time, using specially trained dogs. Our dogs are specially trained to find human remains and minimal traces such as tissue, blood or bones. We also use dogs in cold cases and current missing persons where it is suspected that the person is no longer alive.

The dogs can work both on and off leash, and will provide passive and active cues to indicate the location of remains to preserve the scene for possible further investigation by the authorities. The role of dog handlers is also key: they can read their dog's subtle signals, guiding them to identify the exact location. The expertise and teamwork of HRD dogs allows them to identify remains even years later, when all other clues have disappeared.

Echo and Faith

The ECHO Search and Rescue unit was created to fill a gap in the specialised field of search and rescue in Hungary: locating deceased persons and human remains – even underwater. At the heart of the team are HRD-K9 (Human Remains Detection) dogs, also known as "cadaver" dogs, specially trained for this purpose.

The team leader, József Losonczi, has many years of experience in canine rescue, having previously learned the ins and outs of search and rescue dog work as a key member of a recognised special rescue unit.

Based on our experience, we have seen that some dog rescue organisations in Hungary do not place enough emphasis on actual field operations. In many cases, the focus is more on obtaining funding, and it is not always transparent whether these resources are used for rescue activities. We believe that all rescue work should be built on trust and transparency.

This is why we decided to establish a unit specifically dedicated to the real mission of search and support – especially in cases where the missing person is, unfortunately, no longer alive. Our aim is to help families find and bring home their loved ones so they can say goodbye with dignity.

When we hear the news of a desperate search, we are all shaken, we think of our loved ones and we share the concern felt by relatives and friends. The race against time begins, as the first 24 hours can be crucial, and we wait in dread for the news.

Statistics show that most missing elderly individuals are those who cannot care for themselves and suffer from cognitive impairments or mental decline. These individuals often wander off without knowing where they are going. People with dementia have difficulty orienting themselves in time and space. They are usually searched for with significant efforts in the field because they are among those who cannot find their way back on their own, often with tragic consequences. 

Unfortunately, as time passes, one must prepare for the worst. In such cases, assistance from the civilian sector – especially the work of dogs trained in Human Remains Detection (HRD) – becomes vital. These dogs can be used in disaster situations and in missing persons cases where it is presumed that the missing individual is no longer alive.

Our team's main area of expertise is

As a specialised canine unit, we are particularly trained to find people who have been missing for a long time, using specially trained dogs. Our dogs are specially trained to find human remains and minimal traces such as tissue, blood or bones. We also use dogs in cold cases and current missing persons where it is suspected that the person is no longer alive.

The dogs can work both on and off leash, and will provide passive and active cues to indicate the location of remains to preserve the scene for possible further investigation by the authorities. The role of dog handlers is also key: they can read their dog's subtle signals, guiding them to identify the exact location. The expertise and teamwork of HRD dogs allows them to identify remains even years later, when all other clues have disappeared.

Echo and Faith

The ECHO Search and Rescue unit was created to fill a gap in the specialised field of search and rescue in Hungary: locating deceased persons and human remains – even underwater. At the heart of the team are HRD-K9 (Human Remains Detection) dogs, also known as "cadaver" dogs, specially trained for this purpose.

The team leader, József Losonczi, has many years of experience in canine rescue, having previously learned the ins and outs of search and rescue dog work as a key member of a recognised special rescue unit.

Based on our experience, we have seen that some dog rescue organisations in Hungary do not place enough emphasis on actual field operations. In many cases, the focus is more on obtaining funding, and it is not always transparent whether these resources are used for rescue activities. We believe that all rescue work should be built on trust and transparency.

This is why we decided to establish a unit specifically dedicated to the real mission of search and support – especially in cases where the missing person is, unfortunately, no longer alive. Our aim is to help families find and bring home their loved ones so they can say goodbye with dignity.

Tags

Ónod

Új Élet u. 24

3551

+36 (70) 614-8219

info@echo-search-and-rescue.com

Menu

Ónod

Új Élet u. 24

3551

+36 (70) 614-8219

info@echo-search-and-rescue.com

Menu

Copyright (c) 2025 ECHO Search and Rescue