The Hardest-Working Critters on Four Legs

Dogs really are man’s best friend. No matter how you label them … pups, puppy, pooch, doggo, or your waggiest, happiest, four-legged-family member … our canine companions have been walking side-by-side humans, in friendship, loyalty and support, for millennia. Evidence even suggests that doggos were domesticated thousands of years before our trusty steads. 

Today, dogs protect families and property, herd livestock, hunt and retrieve game, work with police, find trapped survivors, sniff out contraband, and even act as health alert systems.

Let’s take a look at the indispensable (and incredible) services that dogs are trained to perform to help people, and other animals, live and thrive.

Seagull Dogs

Since 2018 seagull-chasing superstars have been protecting restaurants and restaurant patrons in Sydney’s Circular Quay from pesky seagulls. Twelve specially trained border collies and kelpies have been successfully remedying a problem that has plagued diners for decades.  Despite the presence of other birds like pigeons, seagull dogs are trained to remove seagulls only.

Detection Dogs

Detection dogs are specially trained to protect our borders from biosecurity risks and prohibited or restricted goods. Detector dog teams (dog and handler) complete many months of training before graduating to screen people, products and large areas quickly and without disruption. Substances that sniffer dogs are trained to detect include illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood and even contraband electronics.

Police Dogs

Police Dogs are an integral part of policing duties, with many breeds trained to assist law enforcement officers in various ways. Police Dogs search for drugs and explosives, locate missing people, find crime scene evidence, protect officers and the public, and apprehend suspects who flee from officers. Zoe, a white German shepherd, was one of Australia's first police-trained dogs, and was the first dog in the world to respond to commands via radio signal.

Conservation Dogs

Because they can smell what we can’t see, dogs are used in conservation to track and help rescue rare animals such as koalas, quolls and masked owls, and detect pest species, and locate threatened native plants. The work of the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Detection Dog team attracted plenty of attention after the 2019/20 Australian bushfires, when Bear (an Australian Koolie) and his handler, located more than 100 injured, sick, dehydrated or starving koalas who were able to be assessed and when needed, brought into care.

Military Dogs

Since World War I, Australian Defence Force dogs have served with enormous courage and commitment to hard work in places like Korea, Borneo, Vietnam, Singapore, Bougainville, Afghanistan and Malaysia. Their keen senses, agility, and unyielding dedication make Military Dogs invaluable recruits who perform crucial roles such as explosives detection, patrol work, and search and rescue operations.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are specially trained as medical aids to enhance quality of life and independence for people with disabilities and illness. Assistance Dogs complete day to day tasks, like opening doors and drawers, using their body pressure to calm down a highly distressed person, and barking alerts in case of emergencies. These special canines are granted full Public Access Rights, allowing them to accompany their human almost everywhere. 

[image: Assistant Dogs Enhance Quality of Life and Independence]

Dogs are without a doubt, our faithful and indispensable friends. Whether keeping us company or tirelessly working alongside us, it goes without saying, that they deserve nothing but superior quality nutrition (carefully crafted to meet their individual needs) and the very best of care.