Dogs With Jobs

Tuffy: Bear Shepherd (Montana, Alberta Rockies) Tuffy is a Karelian bear dog, a breed used to hunt bears in Finland and Russia. Bear conservationist Carrie Hunt uses Tuffy and his team of bear dogs to track bears who come too close to human populations. The dogs then ‘shepherd’ the bears to safety. Now Tuffy is training other bear dog pups in the Canadian Rockies. Lulu: Teaching Assistant (San José, California) At PETALS, a pre-school in San José, Lulu the golden retriever has made a huge difference to a group of special needs children and their teacher. Lulu remains calm and centered in a stressful and challenging environment. Her soothing presence motivates the children and transforms the classroom. Wiley: Coast Guard Patrol (Port Angeles, Washington) The Port Angeles Coast Guard Base acquired Wiley, a border collie-cross, to keep the base free of seagulls – a serious danger to search and rescue helicopters. Now he’s the base mascot.

Kaze: California SAR (San Francisco, California) Kaze is the only Alaskan Malamute certified as a rescue dog in California. This former sled dog is now a life-saver who performs rescues in the California wilderness. Haci: Hungarian Herder (Székesfehérvár, Hungary) Haci is a Pumi, a traditional Hungarian herding breed. This herding champ makes sure her flock stays off the road and out of the neighboring corn fields. Paugan: Speech Therapist (Ottawa, Ontario) Paugan is the first dog to be recognized by the National Speech and Language Association. He and his owner, speech language therapist Julianne Labreche, work with stroke victims. Paugan’s warmth, goofiness, and patience motivates them to keep trying.

Stan: Etiquette Coach (Somerset, England) Stanley, a German shepherd, does one-on-one and group rehabilitation training at Stanley’s School of Canine Etiquette. He teaches problem dogs to “talk dog” and to learn non-aggressive behaviour. Stan and his owner, Angela, have saved the lives of hundreds of problem dogs who would otherwise have been put down. Fudge: Farm Guide Dog (Sundridge, Ontario) Fudge, a golden Lab, has just been paired with 11-year-old Jesse, one of the youngest people to ever get a seeing-eye dog. They bond immediately, but learning to work together as a team is a challenge. Jesse leads an active life on a farm. It takes time for the city-trained dog to get used to the distractions of country life. Rocky: Singing Spokesdog (St. John’s, Newfoundland) In St. John’s Newfoundland, Rocky is a local celebrity. He’s recognized everywhere he goes because of the singing spots he does on TV for the SPCA. This border collie has a lot of soul — and a lot of fans!

Kenny: Hearing Dog (Gander, Newfoundland) Kenny is a golden retriever who’s a trained hearing dog. He works for Lisa Brown who has profound hearing loss. Kenny’s job is to hear everything she can’t — the alarm clock, her children’s cries, and, in case of fire, the smoke detector. Daisy: TV Co-Host (Toronto, Ontario) Daisy is a Boston terrier and the co-host of Pet Project. Her job includes acting with her co-star Kevin in film spoofs such as The Seven Year Bitch; Sur-vi-fur; Catsablanca; The Dogfather and Erin Barkovitch. Duncan: Freestyle Dancer (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Duncan, a nine-year-old border collie, has a unique vocation – he’s a dancer! Three years ago, when an accident left him paralyzed from the waist down, Duncan turned to Canine Musical Freestyle. Now he and his owner/partner Jan are in training for a performance at the Highland Games.

Eagle: Forensic Specialist (Michigan & Arkansas) Eagle, a Doberman-pointer mix, is the only certified forensic dog in the world. By sniffing out traces of bone, he uncovered mass graves in Panama from the Noriega regime. Now, in Maumelle, Arkansas he determines the perimeter of a historic cemetery, so the authorities can protect and preserve it. Vasala: Film Actor (Vancouver, B.C.) Vasala, a German shepherd, appears in films, commercials, and print ads. As the top dog at Cinemazoo Animal Agency, she stars in their training video which teaches dog owners how to train their pets for life at home and in show biz. Tillamook Cheddar – Bitch of the Art World (New York, New York) Tillie is an artist. With a little help from her human assistant, Bowman, she “paints” –and her artwork sells well! This Jack Russell terrier has had several solo shows and enjoys a large following in NYC.

Lucy: Bear Detective (New Denver, B.C.) As a Bear Ranger, Lucy’s job is to keep people out of bear territory. If she and her owner, bear biologist Wayne McCrory, find evidence of bears on a hiking trail, they know that the bears have chosen it as their own highway. That means it’s time to move the trail. Harvey: Seizure Alert Dog (Surrey, England) Harvey, a little terrier in a yellow coat, has changed Gillian’s life. She’s epileptic and Harvey can detect her seizures 15 minutes before they happen, giving Gillian time to get to safety. Her new sense of security has allowed her to resume an active life. Chokydar: Thespian (Stratford, Ontario) Chokydar, a chocolate Lab, has appeared on stage across Canada. She’s now performing at the world-renowned Stratford Festival as Eleonora, a Russian estate dog in Chekhov’s The Seagull. Despite knee problems and a touch of arthritis, Chokydar loves performing, and always manages to keep things fresh.

Cheko: D.C. Police Dog (Washington, D.C.) Cheko is a German shepherd who works the night shift in one of the most crime-ridden cities in North America. To let off steam when he’s not working he gives his all in the Iron Dog Run. Ben: Highlands Search and Rescue (Scotland) Ben, a nine-year-old border collie, is one of Scotland’s top Search and Rescue dogs. But Ben had a hip removed four years ago, and suffers increasing stiffness and pain. While Ben still responds to calls, his owner David is preparing a young border collie, Rannoch, to take over so Ben can retire. Sam: Product Tester & CEO (Toronto) Sam, a Japanese Shiba Inu, is the inspiration behind Toronto’s Kennel Café, a store catering to dogs, cats and their owners. As CEO and official Product Tester Sam tries out the toys, tastes the treats, and models the latest fashions. When he’s in the mood, he lounges in the store window, where his striking appearance draws in customers.

Birba: Truffle Hound (Piemonte Mountains, Italy) Birba the poodle snuffles for truffles at dawn with her owner Sandrino. They’re on the hunt for a truffle that will bring home the prize for the biggest specimen at the local fair. Uga VI: Mascot (Savannah, Georgia) Uga the bulldog is the most famous mascot in North America and an icon of college football. Since 1956, six generations of Ugas, all owned and bred by Sonny and Cecilia Seiler, have delighted fans and led the University of Georgia Bulldogs to victory. Uga’s job is to stand on the sidelines in a custom-made football jersey and look tough, tenacious, and interested in the game. Maggie: Trout Herder (The Catskills, New York) Maggie is a yellow Lab who keeps busy herding and netting trout at a trout farm in New York state.

Speedy and Friends: London Police Dogs (London, England) George, a German Shepherd, and Speedy, an English springer spaniel, are a dynamic duo. Along with their owner-handler Alastair Tod, an officer of the City of London Police Force, they patrol the London’s Square Mile bank district. George chases and intimidates suspects, while Speedy responds to bomb calls. Bruce Wayne: Bat Dog (Osteen, Florida) Bruce, a black Lab, is the world’s only dog who locates bat colonies. His work helps preserve endangered bats and also assists in the relocation and exclusion of bats from residential homes and commercial buildings. Bruce is trained to find bat guano — and where the guano is, the bats are. Mr. Gomez: Comedian (New York, New York) Mr. Gomez is one of the funniest mutts in North America. As lead dog of the Muttville Comix, he rides a skateboard, skips rope, and clowns around onstage with his owner, Johnny Peers, and 20 canine cohorts. Mr. Gomez loves his job, barks up a storm on stage, and is always learning new tricks.

Elite: Agility Champ (Barcelona, Spain) Elite is a Spanish Water Dog who has overcome an abusive past and is now a contender in agility competitions. Valen: Therapy Dog (Ottawa, Ontario) Valen is a duck tolling retriever who works with children with disabilities in Ottawa. Tracker: Termite Buster (Brandon, Florida) According to his business card, local celebrity Tracker the beagle is “Man’s best friend, termites’ worst enemy.” He can detect termite infestations long before there’s any visible evidence, saving homeowners thousands of dollars.

Peek: Tiny Service Dog (Tucson, Arizona) Peek is a little Papillon who does all lower level chores for his owner Debi who’s in a wheelchair. From her lap he can activate elevator buttons, light switches, and power door openers. He makes the beds, does laundry, and opens and shuts doors. Canaan: Emu Herder (Greenville, South Carolina) Canaan is the lead Bouvier des Flandres on an emu farm. He herds the big birds to pasture, protects them from coyotes, and hunts for the eggs that they lay under leaves and straw. Willi: Metro Patrol (Barcelona, Spain) Willi patrols Plaza Catalunya metro station in downtown Barcelona to deter people from jumping the turnstiles and from selling things illegally. Willi keeps the busy downtown station safe.

Beau: Second Chancer (Lexington, Oklahoma) Beau is a blue heeler–Dalmation in training to become a therapy dog for a seniors’ residence. Rescued from the Second Chance Shelter, he is now one of ten dogs being trained by prison inmates. In one month of high intensity training, Beau learns basic obedience, house training, and getting used to a wheelchair from his inmate trainer, Rick. Dar: Arson Dog (Texas) Dar is a German shepherd who works with the Texas Department of Insurance. He needs to pass a tough exam every year to keep his job. We follow him as his skills are put to the test. Jumpin’ Jack: Frisbee Flyer (U.S.A.) Jack flies through the air in a superman costume in the half-time shows he and Bill do across the country at college and professional sporting events.

Turbeaux: Mondio Ringer (New Hampshire) Turbeaux is a Mondio Ring sport champion. He competes in this little-known sport with a cult following. In the field he has to climb walls, jump hurdles, resist distractions and protect his handler from attack. Killu: Catalan Herder (The Pyrenees, Spain) Kilu is a Gos d’atura Catala (or Catalan sheepdog) who herds sheep in the Spanish Pyrenees. He stops sheep from falling off mountainsides and running into cars. Kilu is in training for his first Working Dog Competition, and has to learn to restrain his overzealous corralling behaviour. The Catalan sheepdog is a breed that was verging on extinction and is now thriving. Ruby: Scooter Pro (Seattle, Washington) Ruby, an eight-year-old Rottweiler, is the face of Dog Scootering in Seattle. He helps his owner Daphne Lewis promote the sport as he pulls her around the city. He stops at red lights, maneuvers around pedestrians and avoids crashing.