MILAN, Italy: Move over Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff - this summer, Italy's busiest beaches are being patrolled by four-legged lifeguards. Canine lifeguards, that is.

According to BBC News, beach authorities have trained Newfoundlands and Labrador Retrievers to jump out of helicopters and boats and swim to rescue drowning swimmers. Partnered with volunteers from Protezione Civile (Civil Protection), these one-of-a-kind canine lifeguards already have an impressive track record. They have already been credited with saving several lives by taking lifebuoys to drowning human swimmers and towing them to safety.

Italy's canine beach lifeguards are all graduates of the Italian Dog Rescue School - apparently a first of its kind - which was founded by Ferrucio Pilenga. Today, there are ten schools across Italy which specialize in training dogs with these canine lifeguard skills.

During the 1980s, Ferrucio wanted to train his own pet Newfoundland, named Mas, to save people from drowning at the beach. However there was no school or facility for his dog to get this type of training. So in 1988, Ferrucio started up his own. With some help from the Italian Navy, he and Mas started the Italian Dog Rescue School.

Newfoundlands (named after the Canadian province which boasts endless coasts and icy water) are well-known for their natural swimming instincts. Their webbed feet make them better swimmers and their double coat repels water and keeps them warm and cozy. Labradors are also classified as 'water dogs' and love nothing more than jumping in the water. The UK Kennel Club describes Labradors as having a "keen love of water."

It's easy to teach a dog to jump, but teaching them to jump from a helicopter into into the ocean is an altogether different story. According to the New Zealand Herald, a canine lifeguard needs three years of full-time training before it can actually start saving lives. Canine water instinct is only a part of what a doggy lifeguard uses during a rescue. It is essential that they learn not to be distracted by noise, wind or by the waves created by the helicopter's rotors. During rescue situations rescue dogs leap with their human colleagues.

According to Ferrucio Pilenga himself, canine lifeguards are most helpful in situations when humans are helpless. "For example, near dangerous rocks, where it is difficult for a boat to go close because of the danger of being smashed against the rocks," he said.

"Enter the dog: attached to the rope, he swims to the person in trouble with a lifebuoy, and the drowning person can then be towed to safety."

This method was exactly how Ferrucio and Mas saved the lives of several sailors trapped in a stricken boat. According to e-fido.net, Ferrucio and Mas jumped in to help the sailors trapped in the boat threatened by nearby rocks. The sailors were initially reluctant to trust the dog, but eventually they threw a line to Mas who skillfully grabbed it in her jaws and pulled the sailor away from the rocks.

After almost 20 years turning canines into life-saving heroes, Ferrucio is proud to say that "his dogs are the only ones in the world who are able to jump into water from a helicopter over water." Trained dogs are also able to pull a boat full of 30 people for between 300 meters to two kilometers.

A typical training day at the Italian Dog Rescue School begins with Mas 'noticing' a drowning (simulated) swimmer. Mas encourages her canine 'students' to help them overcome their initial puzzlement and shyness before diving into the water. Mas drags Ferrucio along and heads to the 'drowning' swimmer. To calm the weakened and panicking victim, Mas swims in a circle around him/her. The swimmer then grabs Mas' harness and she pulls him/her safely to the shore. If the swimmer is unconscious, Mas will gently pull on the hand or wrist.

Doggy students learn by "imitative learning." Seeing Mas's example, the dogs now know what to do when they see the next 'drowning' victim calling for help.

Aside from Newfoundlands and Labradors, there are many other dog breeds which thrive in water. These water dogs are robust, sturdy and obedient canines. Needless to say, they are excellent swimmers and divers. Water dogs are also very sociable and easy to train.

From Venice to Sardinia, canine lifeguards are making sure that beachgoers can enjoy the beach without having to worry about their safety. And if anything should happen, well.. help is just one bark away.