An amazing dog: Vietnamese rescue dog Xu Kip awarded Venezuela’s Medal of Merit during his first overseas mission
Vietnamese Rescue Dog Xu Kip Receives Venezuela’s Medal of Merit on His First Overseas Mission
A Vietnamese rescue dog has captured hearts around the world after receiving one of Venezuela’s highest honors for his outstanding work during earthquake rescue operations.
Xu Kip, a search-and-rescue dog from Vietnam, was selected to represent his entire K9 team in receiving the Medal of Merit from the Venezuelan government in recognition of the team’s exceptional contributions during disaster relief efforts.
On the night of July 3 (local time), General Nayade Solovenly Lockiby Belmontes, Commander-in-Chief of Venezuela’s National Militia, personally visited the Vietnamese rescue team to express gratitude and encouragement. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez also met with the delegation, presenting a letter of appreciation and recognizing the remarkable efforts of the Vietnamese responders.
Among the honored team members, Xu Kip proudly wore the Medal of Merit on behalf of Vietnam’s working dogs.
According to members of the delegation, this was Xu Kip’s very first international rescue mission.
Born in 2022, Xu Kip completed a two-year professional training program at Vietnam’s Border Guard Intermediate School No. 24 before joining the specialized search-and-rescue canine unit.
Since then, he has participated in numerous training exercises and real-life rescue operations, developing exceptional scent detection skills that allow him to locate victims trapped beneath collapsed structures.
Before traveling to Venezuela, Xu Kip had already served during rescue operations in Nam Tong village following the devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi in 2024.
Three other experienced rescue dogs also joined the mission, having previously participated in international disaster responses in Türkiye and Myanmar.
Training a world-class rescue dog requires far more than physical conditioning. Handlers must understand each dog’s behavior, psychology, scent recognition abilities, and response patterns while maintaining strict discipline and endurance through continuous training. During rescue deployments, the dogs receive enhanced nutrition, including fresh meat, canned meat, duck eggs, and vitamin supplements to maintain peak performance.
Altogether, eight Vietnamese working dogs accompanied their handlers throughout the Venezuela mission, serving as invaluable partners in the search for survivors.
So far, Vietnam’s 124-member rescue delegation from the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security has recovered 45 victims from the earthquake debris.
In a heartfelt letter of appreciation, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez praised the rescue dogs, writing:
“In the darkest hours following the earthquake, the tireless scent detection abilities of your rescue dogs became a beacon of hope among the ruins. Every alert they gave, every moment they continued searching, made the difference between despair and reunion for countless families. Your team reminded us that courage knows no borders and that the loyalty and instincts of these extraordinary canine partners can overcome even the greatest obstacles.”
Xu Kip’s recognition represents more than an individual achievement. It highlights the dedication, professionalism, and compassion of Vietnam’s rescue teams—and the extraordinary bond between handlers and the remarkable dogs who risk everything to help save lives.
