Two SAPS K9 handlers and their sniffer dogs Donna and Optimus were part of an amazing rescue in earthquake-ravaged Turkey this week.

The February 6 Turkey-Syria earthquake claimed more than 40 000 lives – and the death toll is still rising.

But for warrant officers Martin Bann, based in Benoni in Gauteng and Tinalia Gouws, based in Lydenburg in Mpumalanga, there was an unbelievable moment of joy and relief amid the overwhelming tragedy.

They are part of a five-member South African K9 unit that joined Gift of the Givers in Turkey last Thursday, to assist in search operations. On Monday, Optimus picked up a scent in the debris of a collapsed building in Antakya in the Hatay province, which was quickly confirmed by Donna. Rescue teams had for days been uncovering the bodies of victims of the massive 7.8 magnitude quake but, this time, a miracle was about to unfold.

An Omani rescue team joined the South Africans in carefully removing rubble from the area the dogs had identified and were overjoyed when an 80-year-old woman was found not only alive but relatively well, despite having been buried for a staggering eight days.

The founder of Gift of the Givers, Dr Imitiaz Sooliman, praised the SAPS K9 unit, Omani searchers and members of Gift of the Givers who were instrumental in finding the woman alive.

On Saturday, Gift of the Givers had posted this acknowledgement: “We are filled with admiration for the diligent sniffer dogs assisting recovery teams in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. These dogs, with their unwavering dedication and remarkable sense of smell, are making all the difference in the search for possible survivors.”

A trusted source, however, revealed that although it had been widely reported that Donna first picked up the scent, it was actually Optimus. The source added that the SA team is headed home and should arrive in SA on Saturday.

Gouws is no stranger to heroic rescue efforts. She aids in search-and-rescue operations across the Mpumalanga and one of her former colleagues, who did not want to be named because he is not permitted to speak to the media, says Gouws is a fearless and dedicated policewoman who does not stand back for any man.