Dogs with Jobs

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1. The hero dogs who find survivors in the rubble of disaster zones

   1 november 2026 · 42 min

   Afspelen
   Jarvis the working cocker and Bailey the labrador are highly trained Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) dogs. Lees meer

   Along with veteran handler Graham Currie, the dogs are first responders to disaster scenes in the UK such as train crashes or collapsed buildings. Bailey is also an ISAR dog - working internationally as part of a search and rescue cooperation that came into being after the 9/11 attacks.

   Their job is to find survivors among the rubble who may be buried or unconscious, so that they can receive medical help as fast as possible. They are part of the Technical Rescue and USAR Station at Essex Fire & Rescue Service.

   This interview is packed with practical insight into the dogs' training and the organisational and logistic support of the wider team. Graham describes their experiences together in the kind of life and death situations that few dogs or humans encounter.

   Graham also talks compellingly about the team's volunteering as an International Search & Rescue (ISAR) team - Bailey's most recent deployment was to Venezuela in the wake of its huge earthquake.

   Urban search and rescue is a discipline that demands exceptional steadiness, where no two days are the same, and in which their success is the difference between life and death for survivors.

   Graham and his dogs travel long distances when required, so must be at ease on boats, planes, being airlifted by a helicopter or swinging from a rope so once they arrive they are ready to work.

   Find out more:

   Dogs at the Essex Fire & Rescue Service

   Service Dogs UK

   Related episodes

   Rusty the Hampshire Search & Rescue dog

   Throwback: Lottie, the missing persons investigator

   Wessex Bloodhounds: hunting humans for fun

   Louis the Fire Investigator

   P.D. Albee, the cadaver dog

   P.D. Jaxx, the victim recovery dog

   Mabel, emotional support worker in the fire service

   Do you work your dog or dogs?

   I love to meet and hear about working dogs of all kinds and LOVE introductions - so don't hold back. Find me, Kate Fairweather …

2. Romance and the Wessex Bloodhounds

   1 oktober 2026 · 36 min

   Afspelen
   Bloodhounds have such an extraordinary nose, that they can distinguish - and track - the scent of individual human beings. Lees meer

   The Wessex Bloodhounds hunt “the clean boot” - which means that a pack of hounds hunt the scent of human runners, who set off with 20 minutes’ head start across the fields. The hounds hunt (track) the runners, and the riders follow the hounds. It's all the hue and cry of a traditional hunt, but none of the controversy.

   Senior Master, Sam Heighes (daughter of the highly respected bloodhound expert, Jeremy Whaley) and Jack Jennings, Master and Huntsman discuss the pack with Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather, and introduce star bloodhound, Romance.

   At a training meet in South Harting the next day, we witness the gentle start to the season. Known as “tub” hunts, because everyone’s a little tubby from the summer holidays, these training meets feature short hunts and are very relaxed. The riders, horses, hounds and the human quarries start to get their fitness up in readiness for the proper season ahead.

   You can find out more about the bloodhounds at wessexbloodhounds.com.

   Connected episodes about sporting dogs:

   Ratting with the West Sussex Warreners rat pack (February 2026)

   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 deeply obsessed and would love to hear from you - the more varied the better! Get in touch via team@shineradio.uk . If you search Dogs with Jobs on your podcast app, you can hear almost 100 episodes - which cover assistance dogs, police dogs, gun dogs, conservation dogs and more.

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3. Meet the Flyball Buccaneers - a team of canine athletes

   1 september 2026 · 14 min

   Afspelen
   Meet the Flyball Buccaneers, a Flyball team that we met at Dogs Day Out 2026 in May this year. Lees meer

   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.

   It's a lovely introduction to the exciting team sport that is flyball. Enjoy!

   Find the Farnham based Buccaneers Flyball Club on Facebook at @Buccaneersflyballclub.

   Connected Episodes

   The Odyssey Flyball Club at Goodwoof 2024

   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 2026

   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4. Dogs with Jobs takes a summer break

   3 augustus 2026 · 1 min

   Afspelen
   Dogs with Jobs is taking a break over the summer. Back in September. Lees meer

   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.

5. Peggy Sue, the veteran agility dog and an overview of agility as a sport

   4 juli 2026 · 18 min

   Afspelen
   Nine year old collie, Peggy Sue, is on her last agility season this year. Lees meer

   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.

6. Tweed, the UK's first digital asset detection dog

   1 juni 2026 · 34 min

   Afspelen
   Tweed, the springer spaniel has the distinction of being the UK's first digital asset detection dog. Lees meer

   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.

7. Service Dogs UK: Helping Veterans to train their own PTSD Service Dogs

   17 mei 2026 · 33 min

   Afspelen
   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. Lees meer

   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.

8. Rey, the one-eyed PTSD assistance dog

   1 mei 2026 · 35 min

   Afspelen
   Rey is a rescue dog who supports his human partner, Jack, with the challenges of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Lees meer

   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.

9. Celebrating International Guide Dog Day 2026

   25 april 2026 · 41 min

   Afspelen
   A bonus edition of Dogs with Jobs. Lees meer

   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: …

10. River, the signal crayfish detection dog

    1 april 2026 · 37 min

    Afspelen
    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. Lees meer

    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 informat…

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