Dogs with Jobs: Recent Episodes
Petersfield's Shine Radio
Celebrate the frontline workers of the canine world.
Kate Fairweather comes face to face with a diverse cast of working dogs, perfectly equipped with the instincts, intelligence and training to handle everything their jobs throw at them.
Humans and dogs have worked together for centuries - and still do today in our communities.
Some work with handlers, drawing on their natural hunting, herding, or guarding instincts, or an exceptional sense of smell. Others perform caring roles, providing companionship and support to humans.
Produced by volunteers at Petersfield's Shine Radio. Contact Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 01730 555 500.
Dogs with Jobs is taking a break over the summer. Back in September.
In the meantime, keep the introductions coming - we are always delighted to hear about dogs doing interesting jobs!
Get in touch via team@shineradio.uk.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nine year old collie, Peggy Sue, is on her last agility season this year.
Owner, Rachel Williams took some time out from organising the Agility trials at Dogs Day Out in Hampshire to talk about the sport in general and Peggy Sue's career.
Rachel is interesting on the working urge in collies - Peggy Sue will retire from agility, but she has no plans to stop. She's also bringing on her younger puppy, Brie, whose parents are both working farm dogs.
She also explains why this sport - seen at the highest levels at Crufts and international competitions - remains highly accessible to any dog and handler with a close relationship and a liking for activity.
It's accessible to all - from kids to really quite old (!), and all breeds can participate from toy poodles to malinois.
Recorded at Dogs Day Out, 2026 in East Worldham, Hampshire.
Photo by Sean Cameron.
Find out more about agility:
- Kennel Club website - list of approved trainers (positive reinforcement only)
- Agility4all.co.uk - UK based agility shows for all dogs (with diary)
- Agilitynet on Facebook for meet ups and classes near you
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk if you'd like to introduce a working dog to the show!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tweed, the springer spaniel has the distinction of being the UK's first digital asset detection dog.
Martin King of the Devon and Cornwall Police Dog Section tells the origin story of this vitally important search discipline in the UK.
Known as electronic storage detection, digital asset detection and various other names, Tweed's skillset is firmly established as a key discipline for evidentiary purposes within the police.
Back in 2015, a trainer in his force read an article about such detection work going on in Connecticut, U.S.A. The trainer, Graham Atwood, visited and brought back the knowhow to train the UK's first two dogs.
Tweed won Service Dog of the Year 2025 and was shortlisted for Crufts Hero Dog of the Year 2026.
Many thanks to Martin King for talking to us - it's a delight to have a little piece of working dog history on the show.
Kate Fairweather interviewed Martin at Crufts 2026.
Connected episodes:
- The UK's National Police Dog Trials 2025
- P.D. Viper the firearms support dog
- P.D. Chase and the career arc of a general purpose police dog
- P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals' cash, drugs and firearms
- P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
-
P.D. Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
-
Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police
- Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is the origin story of the charity, Service Dogs UK, which supports veterans of the military and blue light services in training their own PTSD assistance dogs.
Hear its founder and operations director, Garry Botterill, on the various training models, and how his own lived experience in the military and police has informed the training model and contributed to the approach taken by Service Dogs UK.
Find out more about assistance dogs supporting veterans
Garry mentions all these organisations in this episode. As we say in the episode, there are many other organisations and charities - these are just some of them!
- Service Dogs UK and the Dogs Making a Difference Awards 2026
- Paws for Purple Hearts (U.S.)
- Paws and Stripes (New Mexico, U.S.)
- Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS) (South Carolina, U.S.)
- Warrior Canine Connection (Maryland, U.S.)
Connected Dogs with Jobs episodes on assistance dogs
- Duke, the PTSD service dog, (also trained by Service Dogs UK)
- Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police
- By your side: navigating life with a guide dog over time
- Ralph, the owner-trained, multi-tasking assistance dog - perfect for a Rogate teenager
- Darcey, the Canine Partner: an assistance dog relationship in full bloom
- Benjy, the trainee guide dog's first five weeks on the job
- Daisy, the autism assistance dog - practical, psychological and emotional support
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who does and might like to come on the show? I love to hear about all and any working dogs - the more varied, the better!
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2026
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rey is a rescue dog who supports his human partner, Jack, with the challenges of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What is striking is the reciprocity that defines this partnership, in which each is helping the other.
There are many practical tasks that a PTSD service dog is trained to help its owner with day to day life However, it's the psychological impact that we explore in this episode.
Owner Jack Billington says that of all the therapies and help he has accessed for his PTSD, Rey has been by far the most effective. He shares some of the nuances of the partnership with Kate Fairweather.
A big thank you to Jack for coming onto the show and his openness in explaining the emotional and social aspects of his life, to which Rey has made such a difference.
If you would like to know more about PTSD assistance dogs, Service Dogs UK is a great place to start.
Connected episodes on assistance dogs
- Duke, the PTSD service dog, (also trained by Service Dogs UK)
- Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police
- By your side: navigating life with a guide dog over time
- Ralph, the owner-trained, multi-tasking assistance dog - perfect for a Rogate teenager
- Darcey, the Canine Partner: an assistance dog relationship in full bloom
- Benjy, the trainee guide dog's first five weeks on the job
- Daisy, the autism assistance dog - practical, psychological and emotional support
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who does and might like to come on the show? I love to hear about all and any working dogs - the more varied, the better!
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2026
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A bonus edition of Dogs with Jobs.
We're sharing a wonderful interview created by the International Guide Dog Federation to celebrate International Guide Dog Day 2026.
It features four very different human/guide dog partnerships from all over the world. The interviews go beyond the mechanics of guiding and training, and explore the emotional and social aspects of the relationship.
You may recognise the voice of the host, John Welsman, who co-produces Dogs with Jobs, from our Christmas episode.
We also hear from Jason Denton from Brisbane, Australia; Kirsten French from Washington state, USA, Pauline Eliers from Brussels, Belgium; and Nathan Foy from the UK.
Huge thanks to the International Guide Dog Federation for sharing the interviews with Dogs with Jobs.
Happy International Guide Dog Day for the 29th April, 2026!
Other episodes on guide dogs and assistance dogs
- Navigating life over decades with a guide dog at your side
- Benjy, the trainee guide dog‘s first five weeks on the job
- Breck, the retired guide dog
- Ralph, the owner-trained, multi-tasking assistance dog – perfect for a Rogate teenager
- Darcey, the Canine Partner: an assistance dog relationship in full bloom
- Daisy, the autism assistance dog – practical, psychological and emotional support
About the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)
IGDF is the global charity responsible for defining and maintaining international standards for the training of guide dogs. Throughthis work, IGDF helps to ensure the quality, safety, and consistency of guide dog services worldwide for people who are blind or have low vision. Founded in 1987 by representatives from 15 guide dog organisations across 10 countries, IGDF has grown substantially. Today, it comprises 100 member organisations in 33 countries. Collectively, these organisations support more than 20,000 people who are blind or have low vision to travel safely and independently with the support of a guide dog.
Find IDGF online: @IDGFSocial; Facebook: LinkedIn.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Kate is generally obsessed with working dogs and loves to hear about them – the more varied the better! Keep the introductions coming!
If you, or someone you know works their dog or dogs, and would consider being interviewed on Dogs with Jobs, please get in touch with Kate via team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2026
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
River, a little black spaniel in a bright orange vest is searching river bank in a Hampshire nature reserve. On this occasion, it's a demonstration only.
River is unique: the only conservation dog in the UK trained to find signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), an American invasive species that was farmed as a delicacy in the UK in the 1960s and escaped into the wild.
The signal crayfish is a well equipped predator and will eat vegetation, small invertebrates and fish, including junior native crayfish. If they're hungry, they will turn on each other. They grow up to 18cm and burrow up to two metres deep into waterway banks, damaging habitat and leaving canals vulnerable to collapse.
As if this weren't enough, they also carry "crayfish plague", a fungal disease, which is fatal to the UK's native white-clawed crayfish. The native crayfish has declined drastically to the point of extinction. (The situation is akin to that of the invasive grey and native red squirrel).
River's handler, Lucy Wilde explains to Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather, how River has ended up with this specialised role, and what her working life looks like.
More info:
- Follow Lucy on IG @wildeecologydogs
- As mentioned in the podcast: The Ecology Detection Dog Working Group
Other conservation dog episodes:
- Reid, the bio security dog - update a year on
- Reid the bio security dog - the original interview;
- Skye, the stoat detection dog working to keep Orkney free from predators;
- A team of five detection dogs survey the Isle of May for ground nesting storm petrels;
- Barley the conservation dog and his international projects;
- Nica, Nettle and Phoenix, the Japanese knotweed detection dogs
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk with suggestions or introductions to working dogs to feature on the show - she's always interested to hear about dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2026
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Spirits are high as 18 dogs and their owners brave the rain to clear rats from an area of cover crop on a shooting estate in Hampshire.
It’s a “bobbery” pack of different breeds, from a sizeable lurcher to a mini sausage dog, along with terriers and hounds. Host Kate Fairweather marvels at how the different breeds instinctively apply their skills to the jobs that suit them best - marking the rat holes, digging or standing by to chase any rats that slip past the terriers.
After months spent gorging on grain left for the pheasants, the rats have multiplied in the area around the grain bins and ‘cover crop’. Poison is the only alternative to dogs, with the attendant risks to wildlife, so the gamekeeper welcomes the rat pack as the most effective and humane option.
It’s noisy, it’s muddy, it’s exciting and it’s certainly quick - a hard bite to the neck, combined with a shake kills the rats instantly, and the dogs move on to the next, cheered on by their owners.
Kate Fairweather was guest of the West Sussex Warreners. Feel free to get in contact with the West Sussex Warreners if you have a farm or a shoot with a rat problem in Hampshire, Sussex or Surrey. They are fully insured and all their dogs are broken to livestock.
Connected Episodes
Dogs with Jobs features the full range of working dogs, therapy dogs, military and service dogs, assistance dogs, bio detection dogs, sporting dogs and other more unusual occupations such as truffle hunting, modelling and conservation detection work.
If you enjoyed this, you may also like other episodes that feature sporting dogs and hunting hounds:
- Meet the Sealyham terrier rat pack , recorded at the Game Fair (August 2023)
- Who’s winning at the South of England Hound Show? (August 2023)
- Meet the South Down Bloodhounds (November 2022)
- Meet the Beagles! (October 2022)
- Debit and Dervish, the hunting hound pups (November 2021)
- An insight into the breeding of hounds (November 2021)
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Kate is generally obsessed with working dogs and loves to hear about them – the more varied the better! Keep the introductions coming!
If you, or someone you know works their dog or dogs, and would consider being interviewed on Dogs with Jobs, please get in touch with Kate via team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2026
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Albert is a clever young working cocker showing plenty of talent at his grisly, yet very important job.
P.C. Matt Thompson of the West Midlands Police is a joy to listen to - he is focused 100% on Albert while he's waiting for his next "big" dog. Albee is showing plenty of potential and Matt is an articulate and humorous interviewee.
Please be aware that, there is some detail about the reality of life as a victim recovery dog, which some might find unsettling.
If you found this episode interesting, you may enjoy hearing about several other dogs in a similar line of work. As Matt explains in this interview - Albee works in the city, but the job can be very different in different areas of the country, and these interviews illustrate that difference:
- Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary - who does a live demo on the show. Jax' handler is strong on the human element; and
- Rambo the forensic police dog, with some detail about recovering victims from water - a sub-specialism of this discipline.
More amazing police dogs (other working dogs are available on the podcast - just scroll through).
- Oreo, the digital asset dog
- Billy the drug detection dog
- The UK's National Police Dog Trials 2025
- P.D. Viper the firearms support dog
- P.D. Chase and the career arc of a general purpose police dog
- P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals' cash, drugs and firearms
-
P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
-
Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police
- Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Or perhaps know someone else whose dog is doing an interesting job? Please get in touch! I love to hear about dogs with interesting jobs.
Find me at kfairweather5@gmail.com or team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2026
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this Christmas and 5th birthday special programme, creators Kate Fairweather and John Welsman pick some of their favourite episodes to celebrate five years of fun making podcasts together.
Episodes referred to in this episode:
- The National Police Trials 2025
- Nathan Foy on the guide dogs that have taken him from boyhood to parenthood,
- Harley, the peanut allergen detection dog
- From first steps to a Canicross ultramarathon for Logan the spaniel and owner Sara
- Billy, the drugs detection dog of the West Midlands Police
Dogs with Jobs features the full range of working dogs, therapy dogs, military and service dogs, assistance dogs, bio detection dogs and other, random occupations such as truffle hunting, modelling and more. Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or dog?
Get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you’re interested in coming on the show on team@shineradio.uk.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A window into the working life of Billy, a young spaniel with a promising career ahead of him as a drugs detection dog.
Billy’s handler, Police Constable Paul King describes Billy’s training and how they navigate the leap into operational work.
There's plenty of detail along the way - the difference between proactive and passive drug scanning. Drugs detection work is a great game in some ways - criminals extend themselves to come up with ever more ingenious ways of hiding them and use decoy smells so Paul is alive to any opportunity to keep Billy’s skills evolving, too.
Paul explains why the greatest tool in the police toolbox is a dog's nose.
Recorded in the back of a police van at Crufts, the UK's largest dog show, in March 2025.
(I forgot to photograph Billy, hence going with the stock photo...I will replace it! )
You may also enjoy these connected episodes about the many disciplines within the police:
- Oreo, the digital asset dog
- The UK's National Police Dog Trials 2025
- P.D. Viper the firearms support dog
- P.D. Chase and the career arc of a general purpose police dog
- P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals' cash, drugs and firearms
- P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
-
P.D. Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
-
Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police
- Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Short but sweet, this episode of Dogs with Jobs was recorded in New York City, on the run up to Thanksgiving holiday.
Koa is a Rhodesian Ridgeback - not a breed you see in therapy work too often.
His owner, Andy Honda, is a Rhodesian Ridgeback fan, and chose Koa as a future running partner. They live a couple of blocks from Central Park in Manhattan, New York City.
Andy explains how Koa ended up working in the therapy field with Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather.
More about Koa's life and the book Andy mentions on Christmas in New York here.
Other therapy and wellbeing dog stories:
- Baloo, the injured police dog turned award-winning wellbeing dog
- Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police in Australia
- Sprout, the care home visitor
- Mika, the support dog working in the UK's Metropolitan Police
- Louis the hospital volunteer attends a veterans' support session
- Mabel, emotional support worker in the fire service
- Phantom, the secondary school reading assistant
Interested in therapy work with your dog?
These are just some of the orgnaisations – there are many others so please do research this wherever you are based.
- Koa and Andy volunteer in New York City: The Good Dog Foundation
- Therapy Dog organisations in the UK: Pets as Therapy, Therapy Dogs Nationwide
- Patricia Bland of Pets as Therapy, the UK charity, explains what qualities she looks for in a therapy dog
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs - and am always looking for dogs to come on the show.
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Baloo, a charismatic Belgian Malinois whose promising police career was cut short when she was hit by a suspect's car, leaving her for dead at a crime scene in 2018.
Baloo came out of emergency surgery full of metal bolts and without her front right leg. As an amputee, she was forced into medical retirement. Baloo was adopted by retired police dog handler, Mandy Chapman, who sensed the potential for a new career direction: trauma support.
It's been a hugely successful partnership, culminating in Baloo winning Hero Dog of the Year at Crufts 2025.
The pair support police officers, staff and their families through the wellbeing charity Oscar Kilo's dog charity, the "OK9" organisation. Their work goes beyond the police force, and includes visiting nursing homes and schools in support of the wider community.
Mandy Chapman talks to Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather from the Dogs Making a Difference Awards organised by the charity, Service Dogs UK - where Baloo took yet another award for his support work.
Fellow award nominees included Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police, who came on the show back in 2023, and Phil, the dual qualified medical alert and autism assistance dog, who came away with an award, too.
Other police dog career stories:
- Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
- The UK's National Police Dog Trials 2025
- P.D. Viper the firearms support dog
- P.D. Chase and the career arc of a general purpose police dog
- P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals' cash, drugs and firearms
- P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
- P.D. Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs - and am always looking for dogs to come on the show.
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Former prison officer and highly experienced prison dog handler, Simon Broadis, describes the demands on prison dogs and how they have evolved over several decades in the prison service.
A rare window into the working lives of prison dogs.
Recorded at the Dogs Making a Difference Awards 2025, organised by the charity, Service Dogs UK.
Find other dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or dogs? Please get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you would be interested in being on the podcast by emailing team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rescue dog Phil alerts his 22 year old handler, Felicity Brown, to impending collapse or sudden loss of consciousness. His alerts give her time to sit, lie down or seek support. He is also trained to perform autism related tasks such as deep pressure therapy, locating named people or safe exits, and helping her avoid emotional dysregulation.
Phil and Felicity are the first dual trained partnership collaboration between the assistance dog charities, Dogs for Autism and Medical Detection Dogs.
Felicity and her family trained and graduated Phil through the owner-trainer programme at Pawsable Assistance Dogs CI, and then applied for the owner trainer programme at Medical Detection Dogs, giving another dimension to Phil's skillset. So a lot of firsts!
A big thank you to Felicity and her mum for talking to Dogs with Jobs. And congratulations to the team on winning the Rescue Dog Medal of Honour at the the Dogs Making a Difference Awards in September 2025, organised by the excellent charity, Service Dogs UK.
Connected episodes on assistance dogs
- Duke, the PTSD assistance dog
- By your side: navigating life with a guide dog over time
- Ralph, the owner-trained, multi-tasking assistance dog - perfect for a Rogate teenager
- Darcey, the Canine Partner: an assistance dog relationship in full bloom
- Benjy, the trainee guide dog's first five weeks on the job
- Daisy, the autism assistance dog - practical, psychological and emotional support
- Medical Alert dogs in training: life before they start work
- Plum the e-coli detection dog at work at the charity's training centre
- Dr. Claire Guest and her three bio detection dogs as she describes how labrador Daisy detected her breast cancer, and inspired the charity, Medical Detection Dogs
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A short but sweet mid-month catch up with Jez and his owner/handler, Phil Gibbon.
Jez is a saluki whippet and the youngest of a team of sighthounds that together work under the stage name "Little Nippers", as a performing troupe of terriers and lurchers at country shows all over the UK.
Their entertaining performance at country shows educates the public and demonstrates the lost sport of coursing, using an electric lure. Coursing is the hunting of game such as hares with greyhounds, which use sight rather than scent, and has been banned in the UK since 2004.
You may recall we met Phil Gibbon a few years back and talked about life as a travelling showman with his pack of dogs and birds of prey to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather. His beloved dogs travel in comfort, like the performers they are, but are also family pets, many names after members of the family.
Find other dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or dogs? Please get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you would be interested in being on the podcast by emailing team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duke is a working cocker spaniel. A rescue dog, who has, thanks to the training expertise of Service Dogs UK, forged a surprise career as a fully trained PTSD service dog with British army veteran, Pete.
Spending Saturday at a busy country show in itself demonstrates the impact Duke has had on the life of his owner and handler. Before his partnership with Duke, Pete couldn't go into a shop. He explains how Duke helps him when he’s at risk of an PTSD episode and the practical and emotional support he provides.
Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather, met Duke and Pete at the South Downs Show in August (and was so transfixed by Duke and Pete that she forgot to take a photo!)...
A big thank you to Pete for talking to Dogs with Jobs and giving an insight into how Duke has transformed his life and become part of his wider family.
Connected episodes on assistance dogs
- Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police
- By your side: navigating life with a guide dog over time
- Ralph, the owner-trained, multi-tasking assistance dog - perfect for a Rogate teenager
- Darcey, the Canine Partner: an assistance dog relationship in full bloom
- Benjy, the trainee guide dog's first five weeks on the job
- Daisy, the autism assistance dog - practical, psychological and emotional support
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Working Cocker Spaniel, Oreo, is in the vanguard of an evolving detection discipline within the West Midlands Police dog section.
Oreo's handler, P.C. David Croft and instructor, Tony Brown talk to Kate Fairweather about what Oreo does and why it is a crucial element in gathering evidence of criminal activity.
Recorded in the back of a police van at Crufts, the UK's largest dog show, in March 2025.
You may also enjoy these connected episodes:
- The UK's National Police Dog Trials 2025
- P.D. Viper the firearms support dog
- P.D. Chase and the career arc of a general purpose police dog
- P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals' cash, drugs and firearms
- P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
-
P.D. Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
-
Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police
- Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sara McCarthy took her Working Cocker Spaniel, Logan, to her local Canicross club a few years ago, to get outside a bit more.
She and Logan have gained so much more from the exhilarating sport of Canicross. Indeed, they love the sport so much that they recently joined the elite group of canine and human athletes that have completed an ultra-marathon.
Sara explains the joys of Canicross, the warmth of the Canicross community and the significant physical and mental health benefits of this burgeoning sport.
A joyful and powerful advocate for the sport, she also explains what's next for the duo... the Canicross triathlon - open water swimming, cycling and running with your dog.
Connected Episodes
- Canicross Team GB explain the origins of Canicross, and the world of international competition
The interview was recorded by Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather at Goodwoof 2025, the dog-centric event on the Sussex estate, Goodwood.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Kate is always fascinated to hear about dogs with interesting jobs -including athletes! Get in touch to recommend anyone or if you are interested in coming on the show -just email Kate Fairweather at team@shineradio.uk.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is canicross? Team GB athletes, Sarah Gillam and Jen Davies, explain the challenges and joys of this ultimate team sport for two athletes running together - one canine, one human.
Canicross UK describes it as "...off-road running with your dog. Your dog wears a harness specifically designed to allow them to pull, you wear a belt/harness which allows hands-free running and you are attached to your dog with a bungee line."
Canicross' origins lie in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, developed as a means of keeping "mushing" dogs fit during the summer - in peak condition for the winter season.
Sarah Gillam and Jen Davies are leading canicross athletes who compete internationally, representing the UK. They give a great overview of canicross in this episode, and explain how they look after the well-being and safety of their dogs in this exciting sport.
The interview was recorded by presenter, Kate Fairweather at Goodwoof 2025, the dog-centric event on the Sussex estate, Goodwood.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Kate is always fascinated to hear about dogs with interesting jobs -including athletes! Get in touch to recommend anyone or if you are interested in coming on the show -just email Kate Fairweather at team@shineradio.uk.
Photo credit: Jen Davies
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Veteran police dog expert, Bernhard Flinks, talks to Kate Fairweather during a break at the UK's National Police Dog Trials 2025.
A wide-ranging conversation with Bernhard, who spent over 40 years in the German police force.
Bernhard has been hugely successful in the uniquely German sport, "Schutzhund" (German for Protection Dog), also known as IGP. This is something of a triathlon for working dogs (tracking, obedience, protection)or working trials for protective breeds - notably German Shepherds but also the other main protection dog breeds. Schutzhund was given Intangible Cultural Heritage status by UNESCO in 2025.
Bernhard discusses cultural differences between training regimes in Germany and the UK. Also how approaches to training working dogs have evolved, particularly the balance between negative correction and positive reinforcement techniques.
More information from www.flinks.de.
Photo: photo of Bernanrd Flinks (www.Flinks.de).
You may also enjoy these connected episodes:
- The UK's National Police Dog Trials 2025
- P.D. Viper the firearms support dog
- P.D. Chase and the career arc of a general purpose police dog
- P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals' cash, drugs and firearms
- P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
-
P.D. Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
-
Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police
- Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
- Keo the well being dog in the UK police; and
- Mabel the emotional support worker in the Fire Service
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hear the UK's top police dogs demonstrate the skills and qualities needed to operate at the very highest level. Courage, physical strength and agility, tracking ability, steadiness, precision and responsiveness are all tested during the UK trials. For the handlers, too, the pressure is on: competing against the best, being watched and judged by their peers.
Join Kate Fairweather at the National Police Dog Trials 2025, which took place in May at the Tally Ho training grounds, outside Birmingham.
Bringing together police dogs and their handlers - from Scotland to Cornwall, this is a remarkable display of what the UK’s police dogs can do in a competitive trial.
Thanks to the West Midlands Police Dog Section for having Dogs with Jobs along. Also to P.C. Demo Smart, (you may recall his explosives detection dog, Ted from an earlier episode), Sergeant Hayley Phillips as well as veteran competitor and judge, Sergeant Nick Dalrymple and P.C. Rachel Bower.
You may also enjoy these connected episodes:
- P.D. Viper the firearms support dog
- P.D. Chase and the career arc of a general purpose police dog
- P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals' cash, drugs and firearms
- P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
-
P.D. Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
-
Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police
- Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
- Keo the well being dog in the UK police; and
- Mabel the emotional support worker in the Fire Service
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A short but uplifting episode, with a timely update on an important medical research project that seeks to isolate and establish what is hoped will prove to be unique bio-markers for Parkinson's disease.
Our interiewee is Claire Guest OBE, whose charity, Medical Detection Dogs has been at the forefront of some remarkable breakthroughs using bio detection dogs.
When Dogs with Jobs visited in 2023, the charity was just starting to consider whether its work could extend into Parkinsons - which is hard to diagnose currently. The classic sympoms of Parkinsons, such as tremors, become obvious only late on. So any contribution towards earlier diagnosis could bring a huge benefit to patients and allow earlier intervention.
Kate Fairweather grabs an update, before Claire disappears to the Literary Corner to read aloud from her book at Goodwoof 2025.
Recorded at Goodwoof 2025.
Connected episodes
- lorin, Iggy and Asher, bio detection dogs and owner, Dr. Claire Guest OBE
- Hear E-Coli detection dog Plum at work at the charity's training centre.
- Medical Alert dogs
Do you work your dog or know someone else who might like to come on the show? Get in touch with Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When the time came to step up, much loved pet collie Tay abandoned the sofa for the sheep farm, where his herding talent has made him indispensable to lambing season on the farm.
Owner and professional trainer Martina Miradoli tried Tay on various sports, including agility, scent detection (he was good at this) and introduced him to sheep. Despite her efforts to stimulate him, his drive remained low.
Then, Martina and her partner had the chance to take on the tenancy of a busy farm which meant that Tay had to step up.
Martina describes Tay's journey from the sofa to the sheep farm, where he has come into his own at last - just 15 lambs to go at the time of recording.
- Find Martina and Tay on Instagram at @martina_bordercollie_geek
- Check out Martina's wonderful and aptly named podcast, The Border Collie Geek Podcast.
Photo credit: Martina Maradoli
For more photos, visit https://shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs
Connected episodes:
- Diva at the English National Sheepdog Trials 2023
- Edie, Max and Joe, the sheep farm workers
Get in touch!
Do you work your dog? Kate would love to hear from you! Sporting dogs, caring dogs, service dogs - the more varied the better. Get in touch on team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Viper is a German Shepherd just months off retirement after a colourful career in the West Midlands Police as a Firearms Support Dog.
Handler, Police Constable Dave Short gives an insight into how the relationship has evolved over the years with Viper, who was his first police dog. Dave joined the Dog section with 17 years of policing under his belt, but as a newbie in the Dog Unit, learned alongside Viper on the job.
It's a varied life, and Dave and his dogs are deployed in a wide range of situations. As Viper heads towards retirement with Dave's family, the newest member of the team is trotting along behind. Six month old German Shepherd, Loki, another has big shoes to fill, but things are looking good so far.
This episode of Dogs with Jobs was recorded at Crufts 2025.
You may also enjoy these connected episodes:
- P.D. Chase and the career arc of a general purpose police dog
- P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals' cash, drugs and firearms
- P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
-
P.D. Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
-
Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Met
- Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
- Keo the well being dog in the UK police; and
- Mabel the emotional support worker in the Fire Service
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Harley, trained in peanut allergen detection - a highly unusual discipline - yet one that makes perfect sense.
Harley is one of two golden retrievers in the busy family household of this episode's interviewee, Natalie Rice.
Natalie is the primary handler, but we’re focusing less on Harley's training in this episode; instead exploring the human element and the impact of her work.
Natalie is a great interviewee - highly knowledgable on allergens, and wonderfully articulate on the dangers around food and social ritual for those people who, like her daughter, have a life threatening allergy.
Harley is a literal life saver and also a much adored pet - spreading joy in a household, which has always had golden retrievers at its heart.
- Follow Natalie on Instagram to see the reels she mentions in the interview @detectiveharleyfadd or visit her website
- Harley was trained by Kathy Watters of Nosey Dog Detection Partners in Wyoming
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.
I love to hear from you, and very much appreciate introductions to those who may not want to put themselves forward, but who are up for talking about the talents of our canine friends.
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Reporting from Crufts, the best known dog show in the world.
On International Women's Day, we hear from Police Constable Sue Cheek, who was the first woman instructor in the West Midlands Police's Dog Unit.
Police Dog Chase has already shown his superb recall and restraint in the ring earlier in the day. He'll be taking a starring role in the main arena later as part of the Dog Unit's traditional display...In a show that is half drama, half panto, the dogs thrill the packed audience with their abilities to quel disorder, apprehend burglars and bring down suspects.
Sue takes a few minutes out to chat with Dogs with Dogs presenter, Kate Fairweather about an illustrious career within the West Midlands Police. It's a last hurah for them all, since both Chase and her specialist explosives dog, Trev, retire alongside her in a few months time - a chance to do all the things together as pets, which you simply can't do as a police dog.
You may also enjoy these connected episodes:
- P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals' cash, drugs and firearms
- P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
-
P.D. Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
-
Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Met
- Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
- Keo the well being dog in the UK police; and
- Mabel the emotional support worker in the Fire Service
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview.
Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Herbie, a jet black labrador retriever works as a golf ball detection dog at several golf courses around Petersfield.
Owner Roger Hetherington explains how Herbie came to be a golf ball detection dog, the astonishing personal contribution he has made to the cancer charity Macmillan through a golf ball recycling initiative, and the unexpectedly grave danger that lurks on the golf course in high summer.
Dogs with Jobs
Dogs with Jobs features the full range of working dogs, therapy dogs, military and service dogs, assistance dogs, bio detection dogs and other, random occupations such as truffle hunting, modelling and more. Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Or perhaps they've taken it upon themselves to do a job, please do get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
Photo credit: Roger Heatherington
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Father of two, Nathan Foy, has worked with a guide dog since he was 18 years old.
Nathan explains the profound loss the accompanies the end of a partnership, as well as the gratitude he feels every time he steps outside his house with his guide dog partner.
It is also a fascinating insight into the human guide dog partnership and its evolution over time. Nathan explains the efficiencies that mark out a veteran dog and how non-verbal communication takes over from verbal commands over time.
Each of his (very different) dogs have accompanied him through various stages of life, according to their personalities and strengths:
- Hughie, his best mate saw him through his teens into his twenties, with many firsts experienced together;
- Bessie, whose intelligence and sociability made work trips all over the UK an adventure;
- Mason, whose steadiness guided Nathan, a toddler and a baby in a buggy safely across town every day and through Covid; and now
- Joey, who sits at the heart of family life, while supporting Nathan with the challenges of blind parenting.
Nathan works for Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Guide Dogs)
Connected episodes on assistance dogs
- Ralph, the owner-trained, multi-tasking assistance dog - perfect for a Rogate teenager
- Darcey, the Canine Partner: an assistance dog relationship in full bloom
- Benjy, the trainee guide dog's first five weeks on the job
- Daisy, the autism assistance dog - practical, psychological and emotional support
- Breck, the retired guide dog
Dogs with Jobs features the full range of working dogs, therapy dogs, military and service dogs, assistance dogs, bio detection dogs and other, random occupations such as truffle hunting, modelling and more. Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or dog?
Get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you work your dog/dogs and are interested in coming on the show on team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
Photo credit: Designed by Wannapik
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dogs with jobs pays an early morning visit to the Hursley Hambledon pack of English Foxhounds in their lodges.
Amid the early morning excitement of the pack, Kennel huntsman Keiran gives an insight into pack life. He explains that there's no a particular "top dog" among the boys. The social hierarchy is more complex and changeable among the girls. Surprisingly, the individual canine most "in charge" is not a foxhound at all - but a pint-sized terrier called Poppy.
With at least one, occasionally two litters a year, scenting talent and knowhow is passed down the generations within the pack over time, as older hounds retire and the youngsters join. Kieran's affection for the hounds is evident. When pressed, he admits to having a favourite, who will live with him as a pet once she retires.
Connected episodes
-
Bloodlines and breeding: the breeding of hounds for a trail hunting pack
-
Meet Debit and Dervish, the hunting hound puppies
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Kate is generally obsessed with working dogs and loves to hear about them – the more varied the better! Keep the introductions coming!
If you, or someone you know works their dog or dogs, and would consider being interviewed on Dogs with Jobs, please get in touch with Kate via team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2025
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this Christmas AND 4th birthday show, creators Kate Fairweather and John Welsman discuss how Dogs with Jobs has evolved and play snippets from some of their favourite episodes. They celebrate four years of fun making working dog podcasts together and discovering more jobs being done by dogs than they had ever thought possible back in 2021.
What started as an amusing lockdown project created by two community radio volunteers during the pandemic quickly showed it had legs.
Dogs with Jobs took Podcast of the Year at the National Community Radio Awards 2022 and has been a top 10 pets and animals podcast regularly since then, while growing an international audience.
The first episode of Dogs with Jobs podcast aired in January 2021, and featured Acorn, a golden Retriever who worked as a reading assistant in a Petersfield primary school.
At the time, dog walking was one of the few ways to get out of the house under the UK's strict lockdown rules. So early episodes were recorded outdoors, which contributed to the podcast developing its distinctive "on location" sound, and relaxed interviewing style.
Episodes referred to in this episode:
- Edie, Max and Joe the sheepdogs, and how to spot herding talent in a puppy
- Giglee the truffle hunter gets a surprise
- Medical detection dogs with Dr. Claire Guest CBE
- Darcy - a human/canine partnership in full bloom
- Ninja the barkour dog - a charismatic collie and his talented handler
Dogs with Jobs features the full range of working dogs, therapy dogs, military and service dogs, assistance dogs, bio detection dogs and other, random occupations such as truffle hunting, modelling and more. Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or dog?
Get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you work your dog/dogs and are interested in coming on the show on team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
Photo credit: Tina Knowles Photography
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A throwback to summer... this episode of Dogs with Jobs was recorded at the Hampshire Gun Dog Show in August, which featured around 30 gun dog breeds, from golden retrievers and springer spaniels to rare European gun dog breeds.
Joy Venturi Rose of the Hampshire Gun Dog Society describes the various events put on by the society, which include open shows, working tests, field trials and training classes.
Joy touches on working breed standards in this succinct, but excellent overview of gun dog breeds, and shares some ideas for keeping your working breed pet happy and stimulated.
She explains how working breeds need stimulation in their life that uses their brain, and ideally mirrors the sort of work they would have done many dog generations previously.
More about the Hampshire Gun Dog Society.
Other porting dog episodes:
- Gundogs galore at the Hampshire Country Sports Day (October 2024)
- Echo, Delta and Polar, the gun dog trio (September 2024)
- Oberon the working Clumber spaniel (September 2023)
- Alfie, the waterfowling retreiver (October 2022)
- Who's winning at the South of England Hound Show? (August 2022)
- The Sealyham terrier Rat Pack (July 2023)
- Meet the Beagles! (October 2022)
- Clover, the accidental gundog (September, 2022)
- Debit and Dervish, the hunting hound pups (November 2021)
- An insight into the breeding of hounds (November 2021)
- Drake, the gun dog champion (September 2021)
Dogs with Jobs features the full range of working dogs, therapy dogs, military and service dogs, assistance dogs, bio detection dogs and other, random occupations such as truffle hunting, modelling and more. Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or dog?
Get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you're interested in coming on the show on team@shineradio.uk. Kate is always at the Countryside Alliance country sports show and the Alresford Agricultural Show, both in September in Hampshire.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We first heard about the work of Reid the biosecurity dog five months back.
Conservationist and handler Rachel Cripps talks to presenter Kate Fairweather about Reid's work, visiting Scotland's islands during the course of the year, in all weathers, searching for evidence of rat incursions.
Rachel explains the plans for winter, when weather stops all island visits, and how she keeps Reid ticking over and his skills developing.
What is biosecurity?
Biosecurity is the practice of protecting places from the threats to wildlife posed by the introduction of new diseases or types of plants or animals that do not naturally occur there.
The work of Biosecurity for Scotland focuses on protecting 38 seabird islands around Scotland from invasive non-native mammalian predators, such as rats, mice, mink and stoat. These Scottish islands are remote, home to many globally important colonies of seabirds. Native seabirds, which have not evolved alongside predators and are vulnerable to invasive predators, which eat the eggs, chicks and sometimes adult birds.
Thanks to Sophie at RSPB for introducing Reid and Rachel to the show.
NTS and NatureScot.Biosecurity for Scotland is a partnership of RSPB Scotland, National Trust for Scotland and NatureScot. This project is supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.
Other dogs working in conservation
- Reid the bio security dog - the original interview from May 2024;
- Skye, the stoat detection dog working to keep Orkney free from predators;
- A team of five detection dogs survey the Isle of May for ground nesting storm petrels;
- Barley the conservation dog and his international projects;
- Nica, Nettle and Phoenix, the Japanese knotweed detection dogs.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk with suggestions or introductions to working dogs to feature on the show - she's always interested to hear about dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With long waiting lists for autism assistance dogs and medical alert dogs, and little prospect of getting one, teenager Ella Walker decided to train her own.
Meet Ralph, a multi-tasking medical alert and assistance dog, who’s just perfect for Ella.
They've been together since golden retriever Ralph was less than a year old. Since then, Ella has focused on training him for a range of specialist tasks and functions, with the help and support form her family and others.
Ella explains why she always has her eye on the next milestone for Ralph.
- Assistance Dogs UK is an umbrella organisation for many assistance dogs charities
Connected Episodes:
More detail and photos at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs.
Other support dogs and assistance dogs:
- Darcey the Canine Partner support dog and her owner, a relationship in full bloom
- Benjy the trainee guide dog and his first five weeks on the job;
- Daisy, an autism assistance dog who works with a non-verbal autistic teenager;
- Cashel, the autism assistance dog who works with an actor;
- E.T., the military assistance dog who works with a veteran;
- Medical alert detection dogs and their lives before they start work;
- Breck, the guide dog and what a mature guiding partnership looks like.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dogs pretty much outnumbered people at the Country Sports Day at Bereleigh, East Meon, both inside and outside the arena.
A particular delight was the arena demonstration from seasoned gun dog trainer, Graham Watkins, whose five spaniels, including a talented two year old and a 12 year grande dame, showed the range of jobs these dogs do on shoots during the season.
Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather, caught up with veteran trainer Graham Watkins, who has five decades of experience training gun dogs. Semi retired now, he trains just a couple of dogs at a time - this is the voice of experience. Drawing on the spaniels in the arena on this particular day, he talks talent, training, breeding and career progression for his spaniels.
Recorded at the Hampshire Country Sports Day, 2024.
Sporting dog episodes:
- Echo, Delta and Polar, the gun dog trio (September 2024)
- Oberon the working Clumber spaniel (September 2023)
- Alfie, the waterfowling retreiver (October 2023)
- Who's winning at the South of England Hound Show? (August 2023)
- The Sealyham terrier Rat Pack (July 2023)
- Meet the Beagles! (October 2022)
- Debit and Dervish, the hunting hound pups (November 2021)
- An insight into the breeding of hounds (November 2021)
Dogs with Jobs features the full range of working dogs, therapy dogs, military and service dogs, assistance dogs, bio detection dogs and other, random occupations such as truffle hunting, modelling and more. Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or dog?
Get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you're interested in coming on the show on team@shineradio.uk. Kate is always at the Countryside Alliance country sports show and the Alresford Agricultural Show, both in September in Hampshire.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Black Labrador, Echo and her daughters, Delta and Polar pick up on shoots in the shooting season, and excel at scurries, trials and other activities during the summer.
The trio are much loved pets, but their owner, Kevin Warburton, is also a seasoned gun dog handler and part of the Hamble and Hound Gun dog Club.
The club puts on scurries at the South Downs Show, which takes place just outside Petersfield every summer.
Kevin tells Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather how he keeps them fit and well for the season, and how the gun dog training and activities keep his three Labradors happy and stimulated.
Recorded at the South Downs Show, 2024.
Sporting dog episodes:
- Oberon the working Clumber spaniel (September 2023)
- Alfie, the waterfowling retreiver (October 2023)
- Who's winning at the South of England Hound Show? (August 2023)
- The Sealyham terrier Rat Pack (July 2023)
- Meet the Beagles! (October 2022)
- Debit and Dervish, the hunting hound pups (November 2021)
- An insight into the breeding of hounds (November 2021)
Dogs with Jobs features the full range of working dogs, therapy dogs, military and service dogs, assistance dogs, bio detection dogs and other, random occupations such as truffle hunting, modelling and more. Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or dog?
Get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you're interested in coming on the show on team@shineradio.uk. Kate is always at the Countryside Alliance country sports show and the Alresford Agricultural Show, both in September in Hampshire.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Daisie is a black Labrador retriever, who works as an "ambassadog" for the assistance dog charity, Canine Partners.
Daisie and her handler, Ellie Chadwick, demonstrate to the general public the various tasks that an assistance may do to support its disabled human handler. They do this on a voluntary basis at weekends at country shows and other events all over the country, as part of the charity's fundraising efforts.
Ellie's day job is also within Canine Partners, and she has spent her career to date working with and training support dogs.
This is linked to the last Dogs with Jobs episode, which focused on the canine/human partnership in action - that of eight year old golden retriever, Darcey and her human partner, Wren Rawlings. They have been partnered for seven years, and Wren gives an articulate and nuanced account of their relationship and how it has evolved and changed his life. By coincidence, Ellie, whom we hear from in this episode, is the Canine Partners liaison link with Darcey and Wren - making this episode a companion piece.
Recorded at the South Downs Show, 2024.
- More detail and photos at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs.
- Find out more about Canine Partners - from puppy walking to assistance dogs.
Other support dogs and assistance dogs episodes:
- Darcey, the assistance dog and her human partner of seven years
- Benjy the trainee guide dog and his first five weeks on the job;
- Daisy, an autism assistance dog who works with a non-verbal autistic teenager;
- Cashel, the autism assistance dog who works with a working actor;
- E.T., the military assistance dog who works with a veteran;
- Medical alert detection dogs and their lives before they start work;
- Breck, the guide dog and what a mature guiding partnership looks like.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
I'd love to hear from you if so - or perhasp you can recommend someone else who works their dog or dogs.
Get in touch with me, Kate, on team@shineradio.uk or katefairweather5@gmail.com.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Darcey, the golden Labrador retriever has been partnered with illustrator and teaching assistant, Wren Rawlings for over six years.
Wren explains to presenter Kate Fairweather what Darcey does for him and how the partnership has seen him through a roller coaster seven years. Having had pretty normal health through his childhood and teenage years, Wren was struck with life-altering illness when he was a university student, which left him disabled.
The partnership is one of Canine Partners' many successes: Wren starts a teaching job in September and is getting married in a month after that - with Darcey as ring bearer, at the heart of the ceremony in October.
It’s a life affirming tale of triumph over adversity. Darcey was trained specifically for Wren by Canine Partners, the support dog charity.
More detail and photos at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs.
Other support dogs and assistance dogs:
- Benjy the trainee guide dog and his first five weeks on the job;
- Daisy, an autism assistance dog who works with a non-verbal autistic teenager;
- Cashel, the autism assistance dog who works with a working actor;
- E.T., the military assistance dog who works with a veteran;
- Medical alert detection dogs and their lives before they start work;
- Breck, the guide dog and what a mature guiding partnership looks like.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mika is one of two wellbeing and trauma support dogs working in London's Metropolitan Police supporting officers' wellbeing, often in the face of trauma and emotionally challenging work.
As a working chocolate Labrador, she's a distinctive presence and something of a one off, recruited specifically for healing work.
One reason that Mika and her canine colleague, Dexter and their handlers are interesting is that they and their handlers are on the payroll. The therapy dog model is well established in the UK, but these dogs are part of the mental health support structure, and perform a key role in signposting further support, as P.C. Morgan Heath explains to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather.
As so often with wellbeing and emotional support dogs, the initiative emerged organically, rather as it did with other emotional support dogs we've featured on the podcast (details below).
Handler, P.C. Morgan Heath tells the story of Mika and the original trauma support dog, Dexter, came to the Met, which has the largest dog section and breeding programme in the country.
It's a moving tale, which has its origins in the Covid lockdown. Morgan herself has experienced healing - she was formerly an officer in the mounted police before joining the dog section in a mental health support role.
Recorded at Goodwoof 2024, on the Goodwood Estate in Sussex.
You may also enjoy these, connected episodes:
- Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
- Keo the well being dog in the UK police; and
- Mabel the emotional support worker in the Fire Service
Do you work your dog?
Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to
Get in touch with Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A window into the world of forensic police dogs within the Metropolitan Police, the UK's largest urban police force.
Police Constable Clyde Charlesworth has worked forensic dogs for over 15 years, having worked on many significant UK disasters, such as the collapse of Grenfell tower in London, the Croydon tram crash, searches for missing persons Sarah Everard, April Jones, Alice Gross.
Clyde talks to Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather in between displays in the arena at Goodwoof 2024, and explains the scope of work within this scent detection discipline. Forensic dogs' work is vital in finding evidence to support convictions for violent crime.
Clyde currently has three dogs - General Purpose Police Dog Bonnie, a black German Shepherd and two spaniels - Rambo, the forensic dog, and Jeff the trainee forensic dog. Clyde also talks about Rambo's sub-specialism, finding bodies in water.
Despite the sad circumstances in which Rambo and others like him work, this is a low key, relaxed listen, and was recorded in the beautiful surroundings of the Goodwood Estate, at the dog event, Goodwoof 2024.
Photo credit: @nonineedsmedia
Related episodes:
- P.D. Meika, who searches for London criminals' cash, drugs and firearms
- P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
- P.D. Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary;
- Champ, the office based engagement dog in child protection team in the Victorian police in Australia
- Mabel the emotional support dog in the Hampshire & Isle of Wight fire service
- P.D. Didi, the general purpose police dog
- Keo, the wellbeing support dog in the police
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Or perhaps know someone else whose dog is doing an interesting job? Please get in touch! I love to hear about dogs with interesting jobs.
Find me at kfairweather5@gmail.com or team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Skye, an English springer spaniel who is one of a ten strong stoat detection dog team working on the Orkney Native Wildlife Project.
That may sound like a lot of dogs, but since 2010, when the first stoat was spotted on Orkney, this INCREDIBLY successful predator has bred in its thousands, posing a huge problem to the island’s wildlife:
- Its super high metabolism means it eats 25% of its own body weight every day;
- It’s not fussy - eggs, chicks, voles, mice, rabbits, hedgehogs, fish, insects and even roadkill are all acceptable;
- It tends to kill more than it needs to eat and stores the rest to eat later;
- It’s an amazing hunter - fast, agile, can climb well and has great eyesight, hearing and sense of smell;
- It’s a great swimmer too, and can swim 3 km or more (eg to another island);
- When the baby stoats, called kits, leave home, they can travel over 40 miles in search of their own territory.
Handler and conservationist Chantel Carr tells Dogs wtih Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather that just two years ago, stoats were running around all over Orkney. Since then, over 6,000 stoats have been trapped. Now the numbers are coming down, the dogs’ work is even more important, as they actively find stoat scat (poo) and can alert the team to “stoat hot spots”.
The Orkney team swaps information and best practice with counterparts in New Zealand, where stoats were introduced to keep rabbits down, but have caused the extinction of a number of native birds.
- Find out more information on the Orkney Native Wildlife Project;
- Find out more about the work of the RSPB in Scotland and NatureScot, which support the Orkney Native Wildlife Project.
Other dogs working in conservation
- Reid, the bio-security dog, who patrols the Scottish isles
- Five detection dogs survey the Isle of May for storm petrels
- Barley the conservation dog and his international projects
- Nica, Nettle and Phoenix, the Japanese knotweed detection dogs
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Kate would love to hear from you. Get in touch via team@shineradio.uk or katefairweather5@gmail.com, and follow Dogs with Jobs on your podcast app.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The display from the Odyssey Flyball Club proved one of the delights of the Goodwoof arena at the Goodwood Estate in Sussex a few weeks back.
Flyballer handler Hilary Larkham explains to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather what flyball is all about, how it came to the UK, and why precision timing is just as important as speed in this high octane, four dog relay race.
Although you can see flyball at Crufts every year, this emerging, wildly exciting relay race over obstacles is not as well known as it deserves to be in the UK. We hope to bring you a longer version, but this is a great taster.
Other interviews recorded at Goodwoof 2024:
- Ninja, the Barkour dog, who travels around Europe practising the noble art of parkour, or freerunning;
- Police Dog Meika, who searches for criminals cash, drugs and firearms with the London Metropolitan Police
Find out more about Goodwoof.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
If you know a dog with an interesting job, Kate would love to hear from you! Find me at kfairweather5@gmail.com or team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Six year Ninja is probably the best known proponent of "barkour" (parkour for dogs) in the world. Owner and handler Dominik Arend used to teach parkour to children in his native Germany, but Ninja and he now work professionally together.
Parkour, also known as free-running or l'art du déplacement (art of movement) originated in France and is a discipline, which demands both athleticism and artistic expression. The urban environment is viewed as an obstacle course to be engaged with in one’s own individual, often gymnastic style.
Dominik is eloquent and fascinating on the activity that has turned into a career for them both and how their relationship has developed over their shared working life, which clearly suits them.
Barkour's popularity is such, that Ninja and Dominik have almost half a million followers on Instagram and recently found themselves performing at Goodwoof, on the Goodwood Estate in Sussex. Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather caught up with them both backstage.
Thanks to Dominik for taking time to chat (@parkour.ninja on Instagram).
Thanks to Noni Needs (@nonineedsmedia on Instagram) for the photo.
Find out more about Goodwoof.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
If you know a dog with an interesting job, Kate would love to hear from you! Email team@shineradio.uk or katefairweather5@gmail.com.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet talented youngster, Police Dog Meika, of London's Metropolitan Police' Dog Section.
A week shy of her second birthday, Springer spaniel Meika is already trained in detection work across several disciplines, including drugs, firearms and cash detection.
Police Constable Emma Robling explains some of the training and demands on Meika, as well as what a working day looks like. She also gives some context - the Met has its own breeding scheme and lays claim to the UK's biggest urban police dog section, with a dizzying variety of specialist search disciplines. Meika and Emma are part of one of four teams on duty at any given time in London.
Recorded at Goodwoof, the annual dog event held on the Goodwood Estate, where Meika and Emma were part of an arena display put on by the Metropolitan Police Dog Section. Thanks to Emma for taking a few minutes to talk about Meika's talents and work.
Thanks to Noni Needs (@nonineedsmedia on IG) for the photo.
Connected episodes:
- P.D. Ted, the explosives detection dog with the West Midlands Police
- P.D. Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary;
- Mabel the emotional support dog in the Hampshire & Isle of Wight fire service
- P.D. Didi, the general purpose police dog
- Keo, the wellbeing support dog in the police
More photos at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Or perhaps know someone else whose dog is dooing an interesting job. I love to hear about dogs with interesting dogs.
Find me at kfairweather5@gmail.com or team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hear about the important work of Reid, an English springer spaniel who works as a rodent detection dog in the Scottish islands.
Conservationist and handler Rachel Cripps talks to presenter Kate Fairweather about Reid's work, visiting nearly 40 islands during the course of the year, in all weathers, searching for evidence of rat incursions.
Thanks to Sophie at RSPB for introducing Reid and Rachel to the show. Biosecurity for Scotland is funded by NRF, and is a partnership of RSPB Scotland, NTS and NatureScot.
Biosecurity is the practice of protecting places from the threats to wildlife posed by
introducing new diseases or types of plants or animals that do not naturally occur there.
The work of Biosecurity for Scotland focuses on protecting 38 seabird islands around Scotland from invasive non-native mammalian predators, such as rats, mice, mink and stoat. These Scottish islands are remote, home to many globally important colonies of seabirds. Native seabirds, which have not evolved alongside predators and are vulnerable to invasive predators, which eat the eggs, chicks and sometimes adult birds:
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk with suggestions or introductions to working dogs to feature on the show - she's always interested to hear about dogs with interesting jobs.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We hear a lot about breeding in working dogs. Yet we know little about their brains:
- How might a guide dog’s brain differ from that of a hunting hound?
- Where does personality fit in with a working dog?
- Can a dog have ADHD?
Kate Fairweather asks these questions and more of Sophie Barton of the Canine Brains Project, based in the Hecht Lab at Harvard University in Boston.
Sophie oversees the Working Breed Study at the Canine Brains Project. This is a non-invasive brain imaging study into selected working breeds. A major goal of this research is to benefit the working dog community by improving breeding and training practices.
- Participate in The Working Breeds Study
- More about the Canine Brains Project
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Get in touch with Kate via team@shineradio.uk if you have a dog that does an interesting job. She loves to hear about working dogs.
Also, if you have suggestions for guests for the podcast - either handlers or people who are working in an academic or training area in this field, please do get in touch!
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Explosives detection work is a highly specialised discipline within the police, and the stakes are high.
On this episode of Dogs with Jobs, we meet Police Dog Ted, one of 17 explosive detection dogs working within the West Midlands Police Service, one of the largest urban police forces in the UK, which even has its own breeding scheme.
Ted's handler, Police Constable Damo Smart, has over 21 years' experience as a police dog handler and instructor. Damo was part of the West Midlands Police display team in the Crufts arena with dozens of police colleagues and dogs.
Performance over, he joins Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather in the press room at Crufts to talk about P.D. Ted, and where such specialised police dogs fit into the overall framework and resources within the police service.
Travel sickness is a no-no for explo dogs, who must be away from home for big sports events and royal occasions as part of the job. Damo explains why it also takes a certain attitude from the handler to work these dogs, given the high stakes involved. So a steady attitude and the ability to relax once the work is over is key.
Damo explains what he looks for in an explo dog and what it takes to search at this level - and to search safely.
Connected episodes:
- Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary;
- Mabel the emotional support dog in the Hampshire & Isle of Wight fire service
- P.D. Didi, the general purpose police dog
- Keo, the wellbeing support dog in the police
More photos at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs
Do you work your dog or dogs?
If you would be interested in coming on the show, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 10730 555 500.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Bakersfield and Strike, as they relax in the dressing room, during a break between performances. These two collies are competing at the highest level in the Heelwork to Music competition at Crufts, the world's biggest dog show.
It's a glamorous business, yet the atmosphere in the dressing room is cosy and good natured. Both handlers are veterans of the heelwork to music competition, with many appearances at Cruft behind them.
Bakersfield's handler, Lucy Creek, explains what the sport entails and how she fell into it. To do well, her dogs have a focus and energy that marks them out from being tiny puppies. Lucy explains how distractions in the arena might call for a bit of improvisation on the fly.
Heelwork to music demands precision movement from the dog. The freestyle round allows plenty of room for humour and artistic inspiration and the individual performances are very different from each other, so a delight to watch from the arena side.
It's the first time Strike has performed at Crufts, but his handler, Lucy Heath has been here 16 times with various dogs, performing in the heel work to music category. She's honouring her last, beloved dog by choosing her favourite medley from the musical, Grease for the freestyle. With Spike by her side, their performance is a huge crowd pleaser.
More photos at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs
Do you work your dog or dogs?
If you would be interested in coming on the show, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 10730 555 500.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A fascinating and rare glimpse into the world of fox red Labrador Jax, a police victim recovery dog.
There are fewer than 40 dogs working in this highly specialised field within the police in the UK. Victim recovery dogs - also known as cadaver dogs or human remains dogs - search for human remains, blood or tissue as well as shallow graves or blood spattered evidence such as clothing or weapons.
The stakes are high. On the one hand, the work of Jax and dogs like him is key to identifying forensic evidence, which can be definitive in prosecuting violent crimes. But there's a very human side too: in a search for a missing person who is presumed dead, the location of a body can bring much needed closure to family and loved ones.
It's not an everyday sort of job, and Jax is often deployed as part of a large missing person search, travelling from home and dropping into unfamiliar sites. His steadiness, sociability and love of the hunt means that he and his handler are a highly effective part of the wider search teams.
Police Constable Felicity Thomas of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary talks training, rewards and the thrill of the search with Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather.
Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
- Hear about the astonishing work of Medical Detection Dogs Florin, Iggy and Asher
- Keo the Oscar Kilo (OK9) wellbeing dog in the police
- Meet Mabel, emotional support worker in the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire Service, from her owner, the Chief Fire Officer.
- Hear about Didi the Police Dog
Do you work your dog or dogs? If you would be interested in coming on the show, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 10730 555 500.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This month's episode is a short but interesting one.
Presenter Kate Fairweather introduces springer spaniel Bonnie, who works as a bedbug inspector checking hotels - including some household name, super smart hotels - for bedbugs.
Many of the best hotels consider it best practice, to have regular sweeps for bedbugs. Sometimes a hotel has had a past problem, had it treated, and wants to check that these unwelcome little visitors have not returned.
Other clients are highly sensitive and don’t want anyone to know they have bedbug detection dogs in the house - which also makes sense! For more sensitive clients, Simon Chapman and bedbug detection dog Bonnie do out of hours visits, leaving Bonnie's working harness at home, and pretend to be a regular owner and pet dog out on an evening walk...
Simon Chapman of K9 Manhunt Scotland explains to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather how he keeps Bonnie motivated and up to scratch.
Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
- Hear Simon talking about how he took five detection dogs to the Isle of May for a conservation project
Do you work your dog or dogs? If you would be interested in coming on the show, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 10730 555 500.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The first seabird conservation project to use detection dogs in the UK.
A team of five detection dogs are deployed to an island off the east coast of Scotland, UK.
"Sprocker" spaniels Molly and Nelson, Storm the Belgian Shepherd and Piper the Springer spaniel are experienced detection dogs, but this was their very first conservation project. With a short time window in which to work on the project, a pet dog, Esme, a Belgian Malinois, was been trained as a backup.
It was a first for NatureScot, which looks after Scotland's natural heritage and, at the time, was the first time detection dogs had been used in the UK in seabird conservation work with seabirds.
Their job was to start the process of surveying the Isle of May, which is a nature reserve, to establish the size of a new colony of storm petrels. The storm petrel is a shy, nocturnal, ground nesting bird hitherto not seen on in the east of Scotland.
How did they know the storm petrels were there?
As part of conservation efforts in the UK and elsewhere, fine mist nets are used as a safe way to capture wild birds for ringing. Licensed ringers place a lightweight ring with a unique number around a bird's leg. Once ringed, an individual bird's activity can be noted. Such information allows conservation organisations to understand bird population movement, changes and trends, and provides information vital for bird conservation. It was through this practice that the presence of storm petrels on the east coast of Scotland was first noted.
Simon Chapman of K9 Manhunt Scotland explains to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather how the project came about, what the challenges were and how the dogs - most of whom usually work as drugs dogs - stepped up to the challenge of a new type of project and distraction-heavy environment.
Other conservation detection dogs episodes:
- Barley the conservation detection dog and his international projects
- Nica, Nettle and Phoenix, the Japanese Knotweed detection dogs
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Contact me, Kate Fairweather if you would be interested in coming on the show, at team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet a talented trio of highly specialised detection dogs, who focus on UK’s most invasive plant, the notoriously tough Japanese knotweed.
Nica the springer spaniel, Nettle the working cocker spaniel and Phoenix the Dutch shepherd devote their entire working lives and considerable skill on finding Japanese Knotweed.
Together with their talented handler, Kat Janczur of Canine Detection Solutions, they work with knotweed eradication companies, landowners and developers to survey construction sites, highways, railroads and individual properties.
Japanese Knotweed is the UK’s most invasive plant. Over two metres high in full bloom, it has evolved to withstand volcanic eruptions and seismic events, and can lie dormant for years, waiting to regerminate once conditions are favourable. It’s a very, very tough plant, which means that it’s almost impossible to eradicate, and a constant fight to keep it down.
Nica, Nettle and Phoenix can detect even tiny bits of knotweed, as well as the underground rhizomes, which humans cannot see. This which makes them the most effective way to check sites, all year round. Kat explains how she keeps the team physically fit and mentally at the top of their game for this high stakes detection work. She explains some of the techniques she uses to keep her dogs independent, and to avoid handler bias when it comes to detection work.
Connected episodes:
Barley the conservation detection dog and his international projects
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Contact me, Kate Fairweather if you would be interested in coming on the show, at team@shineradio.uk.© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Barley is a hugely talented 10 year old Border Collie, who works as a conservation detection dog on projects in the U.S. and Latin America.
Barley has travelled all over national parks in the United States as well as Guatemala in the course of a varied and glittering career to date. He has trained and worked on 16 separate plant and animal scents, from zebra mussels to ocelots and other wildcats.
And there's more on the horizon for Barley, who will be adventuring in 2024 with his owner and handler to Alaska’s remotest islands to study wolves, as well as travelling to El Salvador, where his olfactory superpowers will be used to identify any evidence of puma activity (pumas were declared extinct in El Salvador in the 1940s, but have been spotted in the last five years).
Barley's owner Kayla Fratt is an ecologist, dog behaviourist and founder of the U.S. based non-profit, K9 Conservationists. Kayla is currently studying for her PhD at Oregon State University, and canine conservation detection is a significant part of her PhD. A recipient of the prestigious U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, Kayla is highly knowledgeable, in love with her work and a lively and fun interviewee in a wide ranging conversation with host Kate Fairweather.
The use of conservation dogs is highly evolved in the U.S. so this is a great episode to listen to for an overview of dogs' contribution to conservation work. As part of field trials, dogs collect valuable data, enhancing our understanding of different species' population, behaviour and movement (migration), including those of endangered species. Such data can, in turn, feed into understanding the bigger picture - how temperature changes are likely to affect biodiversity, for example.
More information on the work of K9 conservationists, including their 18 week course on training conservation detection dogs.
You might also enjoy
- Nica, Nettle and Phoenix, the Japanese knotweed detection dogs
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Please get in touch with Kate Fairweather on team@shineradio.uk to suggest a topic, interviewee or with any feedback - I love to hear from you! You can find more photos etc at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2024
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Presenter Kate Fairweather and co-producer John Welsman and his guide dog Benjy are delighted to be recording from the UK-based charity, Guide Dogs charity’s Christmas Brunch.
Over 50 dogs in a lovely restaurant in the heart of the City of London - what a delight. What an amazing atmosphere and absolutely no barking or dodgy behaviour, because they’re all beautifully trained.
They’re not all guide dogs: Kate meets Zack the buddy dog, who provides companionship to an entire family but mainly supports his disabled young adult, also called Zack.
We also meet Upton the Ambassadog and hear about his fundraising activities, as well as two beautifully named puppies, Errol and Dylan introduced by Glenys and Sue, who explain what's involved in being a puppy walker for the charity.
Guide Dogs' Dave Kent explains how the Christmas brunch celebrates accessibility and why restauranteur Martin decided to host the event at the the M Restaurant in Thread Needle Walk, to celebrate accessibility.
Connected episodes
- Follow Benjy the trainee guide dog over his five weeks training on the job
- John Welsman talks about how his relationship with Benjy's predecessor, Breck the guide dog developed over eight years of partnership.
- Meet Daisy, the autism assistance dog
If you work your dog or dogs, or know someone else who does, and who would be interesting to hear from, get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk.
Browse other dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Endeavoured" is a show dog champion with a lot of silver trophies.
His owner Patricia Sutton describes working life as a show dog, and the qualities needed to compete at national level. Pat is hugely knowledgeable, with an earthy turn of phrase, so the episode is packed with humour and detail. She runs the venerable Rossut Beagles kennel, which was founded by Pat's parents in the 1940s.
Known as Dev these days, the former show champion is living the dream, finding equal success in his post-showing career as a stud dog.
In a first for Dogs with Jobs, we're giving a mild content warning on today's episode: expect a fairly frank discussion about sex and the mating process.
Other beagle-filled episodes:
- Keo, the beagle cross, who works as a wellbeing dog in the police service;
- A kennel huntsman on working with a modern beagle pack in Meet the Beagles!
- Lifelong beagle enthusiast Matthew Higgs on how to spot the wining beagle at a working hound show;
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk if you'd be interested in talking about your working dog. More photos etc at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode of Dogs with Jobs gives a rare glimpse into truffle hunting at the highest level, from the Italian National Working Trials, which took place in October.
Louise Mizen Ferguson, chairman of the Chairman of the Lagotto Romagnolo Club of Great Britain takes Dogs with Jobs to Italy. Her own Lagottos, Dario and Sage, have had a lot of success in the show ring both in the UK and Italy. Indeed Dario has previously been graded in both the show ring and the working trails in Italy at this same event.
This episode is an excerpt from an audio diary recorded by Louise in Italy. Louise discusses the intricacies of the working trials with fellow British Lagotto owner Lynn, who works Sibby. She also talks to Lucy, whose dog Elsa performed well in the "tourist" class and about this wonderful breed in general.
It's great to have to gain a first hand account of what it is like to compete at this level, with the world's top truffle hounds.
We'll be back in the next epsiode with highlights of Dario and Sage's performances in the working trails.
- Listen to Louise's full length audio diary of the trip.
Connected episodes
If you enjoyed hearing about these working trials for truffle hounds, you may also like these episodes:
- Diva at the the UK's National Sheepdog Trials
- Clover, who competes at scurries in the UK at country shows
- Drake, a gun dog champion at working trails
- Another truffle hound, Giglee
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Please don't hesitate to get in touch - I LOVE to meet working dogs. You can reach Kate on team@shineradio.uk and explore the webpage for the series at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Breed enthusiast Barbara Brown introduces the wonderfully named Oberon.
He's a Clumber Spaniel, which is the largest English spaniel, and is a vulnerable breed, hailing from Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire.
Oberon works as a gundog, specialising in heavy cover - using his superior nose to clear ground after a shoot. Barbara talks to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather about his talent, and discusses the breed, which is strongly associated with the Royal Family - King George V kept a pack of them, as did Prince Albert and King Edward VII.
Recorded at the Hampshire Country Sports Day 2023.
(Photo credit: Heidrun Humphries)
Connected Episodes:
- Alfie, the waterfowling retreiver (October 2023)
- Who's winning at the South of England Hound Show? (August 2023)
- The Sealyham terrier Rat Pack (July 2023)
- Meet the Beagles! (October 2022)
- Debit and Dervish, the hunting hound pups (November 2021)
- An insight into the breeding of hounds (November 2021)
Dogs with Jobs features the full range of working dogs, therapy dogs, military and service dogs, assistance dogs, bio detection dogs and other, random occupations such as truffle hunting, modelling and more. Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or dog?
Get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you're interested in coming on the show on team@shineradio.uk. Kate will be at the Countryside Alliance country sports show and the Alresford Agricultural Show, both in September in Hampshire.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kate Fairweather discovers how far instinct can take a sheepdog with no formal training when it comes to working sheep.
The dog handler, trainer and author, Stuart Barnes performs as the “Dog and Duck Show” at country shows. He draws on decades of experience as a shepherd for his performance, which took place at the South Downs Show in August 2023.
Stuart introduces Jess the sheepdog and Lassie the totally untrained sheepdog, who has spent most of her life in a kennel. They star in the “Dog and Sheep Show 2023”, renamed because of the ban on poultry gatherings in the wake of Avian flu.
Stuart explains how he manages to coax a creditable performance from both dogs in the arena, despite their varying levels of experience. He shares stories and observations on dog behaviour, recalling some of the outstanding dogs he has worked with, and the combination of talent, perseverance and experience gained in the lambing pastures that characterised them.
Connected Epsiodes (sheepdogs and herding):
- Diva the border collie performs at the National Sheepdog Trails 2023
- Sheepdogs Max, Edie and Joe gear up for lambing at Rothercombe Farm
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Please get in touch wtih Kate at katefairweather5@gmail.com if you'd be interested in talking about your working dog. More photos and a video of the Dog and Sheep Show at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs
Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Alfie, a super-fit fox-red Labrador whose owner Chris Green performs as the "Cornish countryman" at country shows.
Water-fowling is hunting wild ducks or geese for the pot. It remains legal under the UK's Hunting Act to hunt particular species during the shooting season. It is both solitary and - it's fair to say - a minority sport. Both dog and human require patience and a high level of physical fitness. Chris has ornithologist levels of bird knowledge and the last piece in the puzzle is having a well trained and talented retriever like Alfie for company.
Chris explains Alfie's job during a long day spent water-fowling, which starts long before dawn. Chris learned from his father the art of water-fowling, and practices it today on various estuaries throughout the South West of the UK. He gives an insight into this ancient practice as he chats to Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather, in a break from performing.
This lively interview was recorded at the Country Sports Day 2023 at Bereleigh, East Meon.
Connected episodes
You might also like other country show episodes:
- How to spot the winning beagle at a hound show;
- Clover, the accidental gun dog;
- Meet the South Down Bloodhounds; and
- Meet the Sealyham terrier rat pack;
Do you work your dog or know someone else who might like to come on the show? Get in touch with Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Presenter Kate Fairweather dropped in on this year's National Sheepdog Trials 2023, which took place in August.
With 150 dogs competing over three days for the privilege of representing England at the next stage, it's a jaw-dropping display of human/canine teamwork, precision herding and communication. While they respond to whistled commands, these dogs must work independently of their handlers, often out of sight.
Shepherd Cathy Cassie introduces Diva, who works a large Cumbrian flock of “heavy” sheep - an expression that, in the sheepdog world, is code for uncooperative and even aggressive… Cathy explains how the training required to compete in trails gives Diva an edge in her day job.
Trainer and past winner Stuart Walton explains the site layout and why sheepdogs need courage as well as intelligence. Junior Vice President Richard Smith explains the context of competitive trailing.
Recorded on location amid the wind whistling on a rather bleak hillside in Yorkshire, it’s fascinating to hear about the astonishing level of precision demanded to compete at national level.
More information from the International Sheepdog Society.
Connected Epsiodes:
- Sheepdogs Max, Edie and Joe gear up for lambing at Rothercombe Farm
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Please get in touch wtih Kate at katefairweather5@gmail.com if you'd be interested in talking about your working dog. More photos etc at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Louis the yellow labrador volunteers at Queen Alexandra (QA) Hospital, a large and busy hospital serving Portsmouth and the surrounding area.
Today, Louis is joining a monthly session for those who serve or have served in the military. Led by Keith Malcolm, Armed Forces Covenant Lead Nurse, it is a welcoming space, just off the canteen, where people can relax with people who have experienc of and understand life in the services. The sessions are open to patients, relatives and carers.
Louis is just one of around 15 or so of the Pets as Therapy team of volunteers at QA, whose contribution to hospital life was recognised, uniquely, by the Volunteer Award at the Parliamentary NHS Awards 2023. They were the only non-human team shortlisted.
In this rather gentle episode, we pad through the hospital with Louis on his way to work and get a sense of the impact of his presence on patients, relatives and carers through his interactions.
Other therapy dog episodes:
- Sprout the care home visitor
- Phantom the secondary school support worker
- Millie the hospital visitor
- Patricia Bland on the qualities needed to volunteer as a therapy dog.
More dogs with interesting jobs.
Find out more about volunteering with Pets as Therapy.
Do you work your dog or dog?
If you'd like to come on the show, Kate loves to hear about dogs with interesting jobs! Get in touch with her on team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2022
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet a working rat pack of Sealyham terriers, a Welsh breed, which is teetering on the edge of extinction.
Recorded at the Game Fair 2023 at Ragley Hall, interviewee Harry Parsons is known by many for his work in keeping the Sealyham terrier breed viable. He has a pack of 30 at home, and has dedicated the last several decades to this engaging, intelligent terrier. With fewer than 140 puppies born last year, the Sealyham terrier is well under the 300 puppies a year threshold for being designated a "vulnerable breed".
Harry talks to presenter Kate Fairweather about what he looks for in a terrier as well as the logistics of organising a rat hunt, which remains fully legal under the UK's Hunting Act. He explains that using terriers remains the only alternative to poison for keeping down vermin, particularly in agricultural settings.
Clearly devoted to his Sealyhams, he explains how he keeps them from overheating or getting overexcited while working, and how he sees the breed's future.
Find out more about Harry's work with Sealyham terriers.
Connected Episodes:
- Who's winning at the South of England Hound Show? (August 2023)
- Meet the South Down Bloodhounds (November 2022)
- Meet the Beagles! (October 2022)
- Debit and Dervish, the hunting hound pups (November 2021)
- An insight into the breeding of hounds (November 2021)
Dogs with Jobs features the full range of working dogs, therapy dogs, military and service dogs, assistance dogs, bio detection dogs and other, random occupations such as truffle hunting, modelling and more. Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or dog?
Get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you're interested in coming on the show on team@shineradio.uk. Kate will be at the Countryside Alliance country sports show and the Alresford Agricultural Show, both in September in Hampshire.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Champ is a six year old yellow Labrador retriever working full time as an engagement dog within the Australian police.
It's an office-based role, five days a week for Champ, who supports the police officers' wellbeing within the Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET), which falls under the aegis of the Victoria police, but which also works collaboratively with other agencies in child protection within the state and nationally.
Like emotional support or well being dog programmes elsewhere, Champ’s job wasn’t necessarily part of a strategy at the start, but grew organically and, as the interview makes clear, was made possible thanks to the generosity of Tessa Stowe of K9Support.com.au.
What is notable here is how Champ’s role has been surveyed, monitored and embraced by the organisation as a whole. His welfare is as much part of the approach as that of the officers he supports, and it makes the model look sustainable over time.
Champ’s role is not just a job - it’s a prototype for how police and other emergency services could look at harnessing the emotional welfare benefits of canine company in the workplaces, in Australia and elsewhere.
Connected episodes
You might also like:
- Keo the well being dog in the UK police; and
- Mabel the emotional support worker in the Fire Service
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As country show season begins in the UK, this month on Dogs with Jobs, we’re seeing some of the top working beagles.
Eleven packs are competing in the South of England Hound Show, which takes place in June each year under the auspices of the South of England Show near Ardingly. It's a timeless scene - show judges wear bowler hats and white coats and the event observes customs that have changed little in centuries.
Lifelong beagle enthusiast Matthew Higgs chats to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather from a shady spot by the side of the show ring.
Matthew talks us through the classes. He explains what the judges look for and the qualities required to win a coveted winner’s rosette.
Matthew discovered beagles as a teenager and has never looked back. His entire family are involved in beagling, and they all “puppy walk”. This means hosting two or more beagle puppies in much the same way as assistance dog pups spend time with a family to find themselves as individuals, before they start their working lives.
Connected episodes
- Meet the Beagles! Hear from a kennel huntsman on working - and essentially living with - 51 beagles, recorded at the Alresford Show.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Kate is always interested in dogs with interesting jobs. Get in touch via team@shineradio.uk
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Have you ever wondered what assistance dogs' lives are like before they start work?
This month we visit the charity, Medical Detection Dogs and meet the many young dogs in training for medical alert assistance work, who are working towards being placed with a human partner.
The working dogs all live with families and volunteer fosterers at night and for the weekend. In the morning, the various detection dogs are dropped off at work, and the trainee medical alert assistance dogs arrive for training.
Gemma Butlin of Medical Detection Dogs explains to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather how the charity keeps its many dogs relaxed and happy during their training, and what a typical day looks like for the charity's trainee medical alert assistance dogs.
We hear from "puppy picker" Chris, who explains the qualities he looks for in very small puppies, and how they will be gently introduced to a range of stimuli - from hairdryers to tractors.
A varied and exciting puppyhood is a key factor in developing the steadfastiness that will be required of the dogs once they start work with their human partners.
Connected episodes:
- Hear Plum the e-coli detection dog at work at the charity's training centre
- Meet Dr. Claire Guest and her three bio detection dogs as she describes how labrador Daisy detected her breast cancer, and inspired the charity, Medical Detection Dogs
- Hear Simone Brainch of the charity Medical Detection Dogs on medical alert dogs
Browse more dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or dogs? If you would be interested in coming on the show, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 10730 555 500.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2022
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the second of the Medical Detection Dogs series, we hear black Labrador retriever Plum at work. Her job is to detect E-coli samples at the Medical Detection Dogs charity’s training centre.
It’s important work! Her trainer, Mark, explains what she does, how long it takes and how they ensure that Plum is rested and ready for work. Plum is being trained and working in parallel with four other dogs in this area. All are doing well so far.
Kate Fairweather hears from the scientific supervisor, Sophie, who sets up the working samples and explains how they get the best performance from the dogs. The training centre is a curious combination of hospital grade cleanliness with dog treats and toys for break-time!
- Hear Medical Detection Dogs CEO Dr. Claire Guest explain the charity's work and introduce her own three bio detection dogs - Florin the cancer detection dog, Iggy the trainee and Asher rescue turned super sniffer.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
Do you work your dog or know someone else who might like to come on the show? Get in touch with Kate via team@shineradio.uk or 01730 555500.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the first of a two part series, this month, Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather visits the charity, Medical Detection Dogs and hears from its CEO, Dr. Claire Guest.
Claire led the team responsible for the world’s first study of canine detection of bladder cancer, which was published in the BMJ in September 2004. She founded the charity on little more than anecdotes and what was at the time - despite being published in the BMJ - considered to be an eccentric conviction that dogs' olfactory superpowers could bring something new to the table in cancer research.
In a wide ranging conversation, Claire talks candidly about how her first dog, Daisy, detected her own breast cancer. She explains the charity's work in the key area of bio detection (the other is medical alert assistance dogs, which will be the subject of a future episode). Currently, the charity is
We meet Claire's three pet dogs, who work as detection dogs at the charity's headquarters.
- Florin is a red Labrador, whose detection work data is being shared with a research team at M.I.T. in Boston to help them understand and ‘map’ how a dog perceives “bio markers” - which means the subtle changes in scent that indicate the changes in a human body caused by cancer or other disease. The data is feeding into the creation of an effective artificial intelligence algorithm for prostate cancer detection.
- Iggy and Asher are rescue dogs, for whom life as a pet didn't work out and who have settled since being given a job. Superstar Asher started on malaria and moved onto Covid-19. (It is unusual it is rare to be redeployed in this line of work and bio detection dogs tend to specialise for their whole career.
In the next, linked episode, we'll be meeting Plum, who specialises in E-Coli detection, and hearing her working at the training centre.
Do you work your dog or know someone else who might like to come on the show? Get in touch via team@shineradio.uk.
Find more dogs with interesting jobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A bonus edition of Dogs with Jobs - from the Big Apple! Presenter Kate Fairweather was in New York in April and ran into Caboose, unobtrusively doing his job at Manhattan's Staten Island Ferry Terminal.
Meet Caboose, a yellow Labrador as he works the late shift with his owner Michael from 9pm to 5am the next morning. Working with at least two other canine colleagues at any one time, he makes sure that any luggage, panniers or backpacks passing through this important transport hub are clear of explosives.
Like many professional dog handlers working in law enforcement, Caboose's handler was formerly a dog handler in the U.S. marines. He talks about what a working day looks like for Caboose. The partners work through an agency and so can be deployed anywhere, but Caboose and Michael's regular patrol patch is the ferry terminal, where there are at least three dogs patrolling at any one time.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
If you'd be interested in talking about it on the show, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Labradors Bess and Buster, trained by police in the UK for detection work in the fight against illegal wildlife trade in Thailand.
Bess and Buster will be combating the trafficking of the Critically Endangered pangolin, the worlds only scaly mammal. Thailand is a key trafficking route for both alive and dead pangolins to China and Vietnam, where there is a ready market for their scales and meat.
Grant Miller of ZSL talks to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather about the conservation context and why pangolins matter. He describes what lies ahead for Buster and Bess, who will join the conservation charity’s team of experts in Thailand and work alongside conservationists, border force operatives and Thailand's own police and law enforcement.
International collaboration
The pair are just one element of a multi-prong approach orchestrated by the conservation charity, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). It is an excitingly collaborative effort, involving the dog training instruction team at the UK's Metropolitan Police, ZSL and Thailand's own law enforcement. Grant explains the knowledge transfer going on, with modern dog training best practices being shared with local conservation workers.
The dogs' initial training in the UK - which both passed with flying colours - will be completed in Thailand, where the scents they’ve been training with will be mixed with pangolin scales and eventually be withdrawn entirely. At this stage, Bess and Buster will be ready to work in the field with expert local handlers to detect the scent of pangolins being smuggled at airports, ports and roads, so the pangolins can be rescued and released back into the wild.
Why Pangolins?
All eight species of pangolin are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and considered threatened with extinction. Although a total ban on commercial trade in pangolins was introduced in 2017, the world’s only scaly mammal is victim to highly unsustainable levels of poaching and illegal trade for their meat, scales and other body parts – with 200,000 pangolins believed to be trafficked every year.
Find out more about ZSL's conservation work.
Browse Dogs with Jobs for more dogs with interesting jobs!
Do you work your dog or dogs?
If you work your dog or dogs and would be interested in coming on the show, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Keo works as an OK9 dog through the police wellbeing charity, Oscar Kilo.
Keo was smuggled to the UK during the lockdown in 2020 - a time when the price of puppies was soaring, and a black market in puppies flourishing. He was rescued byt eh police, and was eventually adopted by IT specialist Scott Parker, who works for the Gloucester Constabulary.
Scott has had his own mental health journey, and he and Keo (who still dislikes lorries) have developed a remarkable bond, which has benefited them both. Scott is fully trained as a mental health support worker within the police force and Keo trots by his side as a well-being support dog. We hear the various scenarios they attend typically in this interview.
Keo's individual story is one of triumph over adversity, helped by and helping his owner, Scott. We hope to capture the big picture too, and profile the work of the OK9 charity one year on from its creation, over the coming months.
If you work your dog or dogs and would be interested in coming on the show, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk.
You can find more information on Keo, photos etc on the episode webpage shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs.
Browse Dogs with Jobs for more dogs with interesting jobs!
Do you work your dog or dogs?
If you would be interested in coming on the show, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 10730 555 500. Kate is particularly keen to interview a sniffer dog!
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Join Giglee, the truffle hunter as he searches for English truffle - the elusive, exclusive and very expensive underground fungus.
This month on Dogs with Jobs, Kate Fairweather goes truffle hunting with Giglee and his owner Tom Lywood.
Giglee is a Lagotta Romagnolo, an ancient breed that originated in Italy's Po Valley. This area was marshland in the sixteenth century, when the breed was used to hunt water fowl. Nowadays, the breed is very much associated with truffle hunting in Italy. It's a treat to meet one, as they are a rarity in the UK.
At one year old, Giglee is not yet a reliable hunter in comparison with Tom's three year old dog, Tobacco. He's easily distracted, but now he's going out hunting with Tom on his own, he's stepping up and starting to perform.
This interview was recorded during a cold snap in late January, with temperatures of -7°C overnight, which was far from ideal conditions. Will the ground be too frozen to detect and dig truffles? Find out in this month's Dogs with Jobs.
Browse Dogs with Jobs for other talented working dogs on Petersfield's Shine Radio.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
If you would be interested in coming on Dogs with Jobs, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 10730 555 500. Kate is particularly keen to interview a sniffer dog!
Search for Dogs with Jobs on your podcast app - and online anytime.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Mabel, a glorious fudge-brown cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle cross) who works as an emotional support dog in the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire Service.
Mabel is interesting on two levels: first, for the role she's in currently, as the first emotional support dog in this fire service. Three of the UK's 17 fire investigation search dogs are also in Hampshire (we featured Louis the fire dog in 2022). So it's a regional fire service with a lot of knowhow around working dogs.
Secondly, she's also pilot testing how emotional support dogs could be deployed within this traditional and hierarchical emergency service. We've heard of emotional support dogs in other regions' fire services such as Avon and Scotland, but not too many.
Mabel's owner is the Chief Fire Officer, Neil Odin, who combines a strategic overview of the organisation as a whole with a thorough understanding of working dogs. He describes the difference Mabel makes to his working life to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather and explains how he thinks emotional support dogs could be integrated into a modern Fire Service.
You can find more information on Mabel, photos etc on the episode webpage shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
If you would be interested in coming on the show, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 10730 555 500. Kate is particularly keen to interview a sniffer dog!
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We met Cashel the autism assistance dog a few weeks ago, in December.
This follow up episode features a planning discussion on how Cashel will support Leo over the next year.
Leo, his parents, and Hilary Armour of Dogs for Autism have kindly agreed to share the audio of this development meeting. It gives a good insight into the level of care and thought that support a successful autism assistance dog relationship.
A fascinating aspect of autism assistance dogs placed with young people is that both dog and human companion are still maturing and developing. Cashel was placed originally with Leo as a sixth form student with a predictable life. Now Leo is forging a career in acting and music his life is less predictable and more complex. Which is part of why it's so interesting.
Thanks to Leo and family and Dogs for Autism for sharing this. Neurodiverse people (and their needs) vary hugely. An assistance dog is not for everyone, however appealing it looks. We know from the many approaches we've had via the podcast that a lot of people crave information about autism assistance dogs.
We hope to keep bringing you updates on Cashel and Leo, and provide a window into the ebb and flow, challenges and delights of a successful autism assistance dog and human relationship over time.
Cashel was trained and placed with Leo by the charity Dogs for Autism.
Find out more about autism assistance dogs in previous Dogs with Jobs interviews:
- Meet Daisy, another autism assistance dog who works with a non-verbal autistic teenager;
- Hear an Interview from October 2021 with Hilary Armour talking about the work of the charity, Dogs for Autism.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2023
You can find more information in other episodes and photos etc on our webpage at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Cashel, an autism assistance dog who joined his owner Leo Long during the pandemic, when he was a 17 year old sixth form student.
Three years on, cavapoo Cashel's working life looks very different. Lockdown is mercifully a distant memory, and Leo's acting career has taken off. Leo has recently starred as a gifted young autistic drummer in the feel good Netflix hit, "I used to be Famous", performed Shakespeare on the London stage and taken a role in an ITV4 series.
Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather hears about how Cashel came into Leo's life, their developing partnership and how he helps Leo with daily life.
We've featured an autism assistance dog previously on Dogs with Jobs, through an interview with its trainer and mother of its human partner. This episode hears first hand from autistic actor and musician Leo about his lived experience with Cashel, and the difference an autism assistance dog makes to his life.
Cashel was trained and placed with Leo by the charity Dogs for Autism.
Find out more about autism assistance dogs in previous Dogs with Jobs interviews:
- Meet Daisy, another autism assistance dog who works with a non-verbal autistic teenager;
- Hear an Interview from October 2021 with Hilary Armour talking about the work of the charity, Dogs for Autism.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2022
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Accompany Millie the golden labrador on her hospital rounds, as she spreads joy and warmth to staff and patients alike at Petersfield Hospital on this month's episode of Dogs with Jobs.
Former rescue dog Millie is a Pets as Therapy (PAT) dog and Petersfield is just one of her regular stops. Owner Linda Tipple explains the rhythms of Millie's part time working life and its rewards - you can hear for yourself the impact this gorgeous golden labrador makes on the hospital's dog loving patients.
If you are interested in volunteering with your dog, please take a listen to the January 2021 interview with Patricia Bland of Pets as Therapy, who explains the qualities she looks for in a therapy dog. See the photos as usual at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs.
You can also hear the winning submission of Dogs with Jobs, which won Gold at the Community Radio Awards 2022 in Bedford in November.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Shine Radio programme celebrates the frontline workers of the canine world, and was named best podcast in the 2022 Community Radio Awards.
Hear the announcement and presenter Kate Fairweather's acceptance speech at the awards ceremony held on Saturday night.
The prize was one of three collected by Shine Radio volunteers. The Shine Radio recipe won bronze for best podcast and the station as whole was named the best digital community radio station in the UK.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You rarely hear about bloodhound packs, because they are entirely uncontroversial. It's also a relatively new sport - there are barely a dozen packs in the UK. So this is something of a scoop!
Every Sunday, volunteer "quarries" pull on their trainers and run around 5km or so, following a route that has been pre-agreed with the landowners. Their mission is to outrun and outwit the bloodhounds, zig-zagging across the Hampshire countryside in order to throw them off the scent. It's rare that that they succeed.
Bloodhounds are the undisputed kings of the scenting world. Their scenting abilities are so superior that they can distinguish between the scent of individual humans.
in this month's Dogs with Jobs, Kate Fairweather meets Jeremy Whaley, who is both senior joint Master and Huntsman of the South Downs Bloodhounds. He gives a rarely heard and remarkable insight into the working lives of his pack, which he started almost a decade ago.
Do you work your dog or dogs?
Please get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you would be interested in being on the podcast at team@shineradio.uk or find us on facebook or instagram.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2022
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode of Dogs with Jobs features a working pack of beagles.
Kennel huntsman Danny Allen describes the breeding, management and daily working lives of these characterful hounds to presenter Kate Fairweather.
Danny has worked with the Palmer Marlborough Clinkard Meon Valley Beagles for eight years, and combines insight into breeding, hunting and working of beagles with an obvious affection for his canine charges.
Do you work your dog or dogs? Please get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you would be interested in being on the podcast at team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2022
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This month’s guest is Clover, a liver and white springer spaniel. The interview was recorded at the South Downs Show in August, where Clover was demonstrating her talents as part of the Hamble and Hound Gun dog club.
Presenter Kate Fairweather chats to Jo Bennett about Clover, the first springer spaniel she ever owned. Clover’s need to work soon became apparent, and Jo started gun dog training as a way of keeping her stimulated and happy. It wasn’t long before Clover’s natural talent showed itself, and Jo has competed with this lovely spaniel to considerable success in scurries (scurries are competitions, in which gun dogs have to find and retrieve a series of lures in a certain order, working against the clock).
Doing demonstrations with other gun dogs at country shows is part of Clover’s working life. Jo explains how working breeds need mental stimulation as well as exercise, and discusses training tips for keeping clever dogs stimulated and happy.
Do you work your dog or dogs? If you would be interested in coming on the show, please get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 10730 555 500. (Kate is particularly keen to interview a sniffer dog!)
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2022
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Little Nippers, a performing troupe of terriers and lurchers, who work the country fairs all over the UK.
Their entertaining performance at country shows educates the public and demonstrates the lost sport of coursing, using an electric lure. Coursing is the hunting of game such as hares with greyhounds, which use sight rather than scent, and has been banned in the UK since 2004.
Phil Gibbons talks about life on the road with his 10 dogs to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather. Nothing is too good for his beloved dogs, who have a comfortable movie-star style trailer when on the road, but are very much family pets when at home.
Do you work your dog or dogs? Please get in touch with Kate Fairweather to be on the podcast by emailing team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2022
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Louis, a talented springer spaniel, who works for the Hampshire Fire Service.
Louis is a Fire Investigation & Search Dog and is trained to sniff out the presence of flammable materials efficiently and with outstanding accuracy in minutes, where humans might take days to cover the same area. There are just 17 working fire dogs in the whole of the UK, making Louis a rarity and something of a scoop for Dogs with Jobs.
Louis' career success is heartwarming, since he was made homeless at less than a year old. His original family simply couldn’t cope with his high energy and what dog handlers call “play drive”.
He was rescued by veteran dog handler and firefighter Sean White. Sean knew that Louis craved mental and physical stimulation, and that a job would allow him to channel all that energy in a productive way.
Sean describes how Louis joined the fire service as a trainee, alongside Sean’s other Fire Investigation & Search Dogs, Harvey and Ruby.
Do you work your dog or dogs? If you would consider coming on the show, please get in touch with presenter Kate Fairweather on team@shineradio.uk or find us via facebook or instagram.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2022
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tucked away in a converted barn in the tiny South Downs village of Ramsdean, Hounds for Heroes is a charity, which trains and provides assistance dogs for disabled veterans from the military and emergency services.
Founder Allen Parton talks to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather about how the dogs are trained, and explains the story behind the dogs' names. He also explains what they look for in "puppy parents", the other vital component in raising a well balanced assistance dog.
This is a companion piece to the Dogs with Jobs edition, which focuses on E.J. the military assistance dog.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet E.T., (short for Endal III), a talented young labrador retriever and third in a line of exceptional assistance dogs. Handler and owner Allen Parton is a disabled ex-Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer, who founded the military assistance dog charity, Hounds for Heroes, in 2010.
Allen returned from the Gulf War in 1991 with a serious head injury to spend five years in hospital, following which he needed specialist day care. He tells Kate Fairweather about how Endal became his first, “accidental” assistance dog. In the early days, Allen was unable to communicate verbally and used signing alone to communicate with his dog. In the circumstances, it's quite moving to hear Allen describing his recovery - he's come a long way with the help of his hounds.
Endal was succeeded by E.J. (Endal Junior), whose death in Spring 2022 left E.T. (Endal III) in the hot seat! Together with Rookie, an experienced assessment dog, E.J. is already supporting Allen day to day. Allen explains how the assistance dogs in his life have given him purpose, transformed his health and helped his relationships. He also describes how the charity he founded helps other disabled servicemen and women.
Do you work your dog or dogs, or know someone who does? You can get in touch with Kate at Dogs with Jobs at team@shineradio.uk or find Dogs with Jobs on Facebook or Instagram.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2022
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This month, we meet Simone Brainch from the UK charity Medical Detection Dogs.
Simone explains how the charity has developed since 2014, including its network of Medical Alert Assistance Dogs.
The charity's specially trained assistance dogs alert their owners to impending medical emergencies, such as hypo-glycemic episodes or even allergic reactions. These dogs work incredibly closely with their human partners to warn them of an impending health episode, giving them the time to make themselves safe.
It’s all down to the dogs’ amazing sense of smell - they are trained to identify tiny odour changes emitted by their owner before an emergency and alert the person to take preventative action.
Find out more at Medical Alert Assistance Dogs.
Explore other Dogs with Jobs episodes (and see photos!) on our website.
If you would like to come on the podcast and introduce your working dog(s), get in touch at team@shineradio.uk.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Phantom. This retired racing greyhound first showed his therapeutic chops at the Greyhound Rescue Centre in Rake, with his calming influence on other greyhounds. After four years as a family pet, he has embarked on a second career, volunteering as a PAT "Read to" dog in the Solaris Nurture Unit at Bohunt School in Liphook.
Presenter Kate Fairweather meets Phantom and his owner, Erika Harris, for a Sunday morning coffee at Petersfield Heath's cafe, the Plump Duck.
More info on how to volunteer as a Pets as Therapy dog in our interview with Patricia Bland, published last January.
Do you work your dog or dogs? Get in touch with Kate about your dog's working life, she'd love to hear from you! Just email team@shineradio.uk. More info at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs/.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a companion to November 2021 episode, which featured hunting hound pups, Debit and Dervish.
The modern English Foxhound is one of the healthiest in the canine world. Bred for function rather than form, these supremely athletic hounds cover 15-20 miles of country in a working day. Depending on their hunting country, they might need strong back legs for hill work, overall muscular strength to navigate heavy plough, or speed for the hilly grassland of the South Downs.
Hound breeding expert Carolyn gives an overview of how bloodlines are tracked and how hunts collaborate on hound breeding. The hound stud books go back to 1800 and are a vital part of breed management. Carolyn, has overseen the hound breeding for one local hunt and is trustee for several others. She explains how breeding is managed and documented and how individual hunts cooperate to keep the gene pool healthy.
Jobs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather hears about the lure of the Peterborough (hound show) champion, how hunts cooperate with each other in drafting hounds between packs, and why no money changes hands.
If you would be interested in being featured with your dog or dogs on Dogs with Jobs, please get in touch with Kate Fairweather at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Debit and Dervish. These affectionate, exuberant hound puppies live with their puppy walker Carolyn in an orchard in Hampshire.
They arrived at 8 weeks old and will spend most of their first year here, before they return to a local trail hunting pack, which, which numbers some 38 couple (76) drag hunting hounds.
Their puppy walker will ensure that they encounter a wide variety of people, children, horses and farm animals as well as cars, tractors. Although their destiny is pack life, hunting trails for the local hunt, this socialisation is a vital part of their development as a working hound.
Carolyn explains some of the traditions of hound ownership and gives an insight into the local hunting community, at the centre of which are the hounds.
She explains to presenter Kate Fairweather how hounds like Debit and Dervish have been carefully bred to combine stamina and pace in equal measure to suit their country in the South Downs, and why they have the distinction of being one of the healthiest breeds in the canine world.
Do you work your dog or dogs and would consider coming on the show?
Get in touch with Kate Fairweather via team@shineradio.uk
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The charity Dogs for Autism was founded by a dog trainer, pet behaviourist and special needs schoolteacher, to focus on training, placing and supporting assistance dogs for autistic people, including children.
Neurodiverse people vary as much as neurotypical people. However, they tend to share certain characteristics, such as extreme sensitivity to particular noises or other stimuli, which make navigating public space and everyday life a challenge.
Hilary Armour, CEO and founder of Dogs for Autism, explains the many levels on which an autism assistance dog can make a difference.
Its presence signals to the general public that someone needs assistance, and often makes them kinder and more supportive. An early warning of an autistic meltdown makes it easier for a family to risk everyday things like walking through a shopping centre or visiting the park together.
For an autistic person, a trusted canine companion brings security and confidence, and often a first taste of freedom.
Find out how more at Dogs for Autism.
©️ & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet the talented Daisy, who works with a non-verbal autistic teenager and his family.
Hear how golden retriever Daisy has transformed the lives of her human partner, Marcus, and those closest to him.
Daisy provides an invaluable early warning of an impending meltdown with 100% accuracy - which has opened up public places and travel to the whole family. When Marcus does become emotionally disregulated, her training in deep pressure work means that she helps him to calm down.
Presenter Kate Fairweather meets Marcus’ mum, Hilary Armour, a skilled animal behaviourist, dog trainer, special needs schoolteacher and founder of the Alton-based charity, Dogs for Autism.
Hilary personally trained her son's first assistance dog. She explains the subtleties of family groups, where the dog is part of a team of carers. She also describes how the assistance dog partnership evolves when child and dog grow up together as part of the family.
©️ & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Alfie, a handsome, half 'patched' dalmatian in this month's Dogs with Jobs and hear about his busy working life as a model and actor.
Blessed with a muscular physique and rakish looks, thanks to his unique face patch markings, Alfie has starred in rap videos, TV programmes and is much sought after as a model by household names such as Boden and furniture manufacturer, made.com.
When you look this good, does anything else matter? Well, yes! Alfie’s work requires a performance ethic with first class obedience and exceptional steadiness - all of which are very useful on a fashion shoot.
Presenter Kate Fairweather hears from Alfie's owner Jan Kiley about how his career took off, and what’s next for this handsome fellow.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kate Fairweather introduces Drake, a talented black labrador retriever, who was England’s top scoring gun dog two years in a row at the “Gun dog Olympics” - a.k.a. the Anglesey International. Hear Drake hunting for a dummy bird on the Cowdray Estate in West Sussex, helped by whistle commands from his owner, Jason Mayhew.
Gundog trainer Jason tells the story behind Drake’s competition success in field trials - which simulate the conditions of a large scale pheasant shoot.
Drake and retrievers like him must stay 100% focused on their handlers over significant distances and against a VERY noisy backdrop. How do they do it? Find out in this month’s Dogs with Jobs.
See more pictures and find out more about Dogs with Jobs at shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs, follow us on Instagram or find us on FB.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This month, Dogs with Jobs follows young guide dog Benji over five weeks as he starts “on the job” training with owner John Welsman.
From their first encounter in June, through two weeks of residential training at a Southampton hotel, instructor-supported training around their home town Petersfield and navigating their way to London via public transport.
After an intense five weeks, Benjy and John are ready to strike out on their own.
Kate Fairweather hears about the highs and lows on this month’s Dogs with Jobs.
Next episode we'll be meeting Drake, a champion gun dog.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Rusty, a red, short coat collie with just one thing on his mind.
He works with his handler, Kev Saunders MBE as part of the Hampshire Search & Rescue (HSAR) team, which supports the police on large scale searches for missing persons.
He talks to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather about how things have gone in the pandemic, with a shift away from finding elderly confused people towards a younger demographic of vulnerable missing persons.
Kev explains their role as a vital and valued tool in large scale searches, when Rusty is mobilised alongside helicopters, drones and manpower when they're mobilised on a lowland rescue job.
It's basically a second job for Kev, who has volunteered for 15 years with HSAR and whose work was recognised with an MBE. Rusty is his second dog.
Find out more about supporting Hampshire Search & Rescue at https://hantsar.org/
© Kate Fairweather 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How did an English Bull Terrier end up as a calming presence in Petersfield's care homes? Find out in this month's Dogs with Jobs, with presenter, Kate Fairweather.
Sprout is a "one off" in many ways. He survived an operation that went horribly wrong in his puppyhood and, with the help of his owner, Lizzie Strickland, he has overcome the considerable disabilities he was left with.
Now he spreads joy to the elderly in the town's care homes and helps university students struggling with their mental wellbeing.
© Kate Fairweather, 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association oversees the country's largest breeding programme and trains around a quarter of the world's guide dogs..
Over coffee with John Welsman, Kate Fairweather hears about the astonishing range of work done by the UK charity and some of its newer initiatives.
John is part of the charity's Canine Affairs team, which strategises about the future of guide dog ownership and works with government and service providers on behalf of Guide Dogs. He talks about some of the charity’s newer initiatives and explains the breadth of the its work for visual impaired people in the UK.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet Breck, a talented golden retriever recently retired from an eight-year career in partnership with a highly experienced owner, whose job has entailed travelling all over the UK.
Breck's steadiness and adaptability proved to be essential qualities for success in guiding at this advanced level.
Breck's owner John Welsman discusses some fascinating insights into the responsibilities and challenges facing both parties to Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather. John charts he evolution of this richly complex partnership over time.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In Dogs with Jobs this month meet Max, Edie and Joe, the close knit team who together ensure a successful lambing operation at Rothercombe Farm, Stroud.
The Border Collies' obsessive herding instinct comes into its own. With over 1000 expectant ewes, the fields become an outdoor maternity unit for six hectic weeks. No surprise that things can get a little intense...
Farmer Andy Snow talks to Kate Fairweather of Shine Radio about how he can recognise talent in a puppy, on the job training them and how each dog's personality, preferences and particular skills come into play with an impressive team effort at lambing time.
For photos, visit https://shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs
Do you work your dog? Kate would love to hear from you! Sporting dogs, caring dogs, service dogs - the more varied the better. Get in touch on team@shineradio.uk.
© Kate Fairweather, 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bonus episode of Dogs with Jobs!
In the course of researching this podcast, Kate Fairweather talks to a lot of people about working dogs. Here she talks to Jim Noble, who has spent a career devoted to working dogs - gun dogs, police dogs, sniffer dogs, search dogs.
In the early 2000s the Hampshire Constabulary's Dog Unit (as it was then) invested in its first ever pair of bloodhounds, with a view to training them for missing persons cases, owing to their superior scent-tracking capabilities.
Jim recalls Lottie's first ever deployment and how she solved her first missing persons case in 2003. The sound's a bit crackly, as this was a telephone interview conducted during lockdown, but the story is gripping and his pride in a superb work partner comes across loud and clear. It was the first of dozens of searches that Lottie completed as a specialist search dog.
Do you work your dog? Get in touch with Kate at team@petersfieldradio.uk. Caring dogs, service dogs, sporting dogs – the more varied the better! She’s interested in them all and would love to hear from you.
© Kate Fairweather, 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Belgian Malinois with a bright future.
Police Dog (P.D.) Didi is part of the Thames Valley, Hampshire & IOW Dog Section.
Smaller and lighter than many of her police colleagues, P.D. Didi combines an easygoing nature with just a touch of swagger and supreme athleticism.
Her handler, P.C. Beale, talks to Kate Fairweather about her abilities, their relationship and what it takes to make it in the police dog world.
Dogs with Jobs is a unique audio series from Petersfield's Shine Radio, in which Kate Fairweather meets and celebrates the front line workers of the canine world.
Produced by volunteers at Petersfield's Shine Radio.
© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2021
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Patricia Bland, Pets as Therapy regional coordinator for the Petersfield area, explains what they seek in a therapy dog.
More information at petsastherpy.org
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Acorn works at Petersfield Infants School as a Pets as Therapy (PAT) reading dog.
Does he enjoy his job? Kate Fairweather hears about his working life from owner Judy Bridgland.
More information on volunteering with your dog at petsastherapy.org.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Meet the front line workers of the canine world in a new Shine Radio series.
This is where we celebrate the key workers of the canine world, and admire the intelligence and skill of working dogs.
Join Kate Fairweather to meet some of the most talented working dogs you could wish to meet: trained and ready to handle everything their jobs throw at them.
What the characters we meet have in common is the focus and determination to harness their intelligence, instinct and often courage in their work.
Do you know a hard working dog? Let us know at team@shineradio.uk. Maybe they’ll be on here too!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.