All Duck or No Dinner - with Hogan the Hunting Poodle by The Hero Beside Me

When Your Bomb Dog is the Bomb - Celebrating the Police Dog

Welcome, listeners, I'm so glad you're here! In today’s episode we highlight police K9 officers and the work they do alongside their human partners to keep us safe. Today I bring you along for the ride as I make a few visits to a few different law enforcement agencies. Our first stop is Shelter Island in San Diego, where we chat with a few of the San Diego Harbor Police Officers who have come out with their canines to give a demonstration of the kind of work they do. This episode was recorded mostly outdoors, so please pardon the background noise.

Next up, we head to the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar to visit some military working dogs and their handlers who are military policeman. They are doing a training event in conjunction with another local law enforcement agency, and have invited us to tag along.

We stand outside of the aviation museum on base, surrounded by a lot of different aircraft. The dogs search under and around each one, sniffing for the scent of explosives, and when they find the source of the scent, they sit and stare at it until their handler joins them and gives them their paycheck …their favorite toy. They get to play with it for a few moments, but then it’s back to work.

Listeners, thanks for joining me on today’s journey. I also want to take the opportunity to say thank you to all of service members who are out there doing their best to keep us safe, and a thank you to the canine service members as well. I was able to photograph the wonderful K9s featured in this episode, and if you’d like to see some of the photos, as well as photos from other dogs featured on this show, just visit our website: herobeside.me. There you will also find our listener feedback survey on the podcast page, and I would really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to fill that out, as your opinion is valuable to us and influential to the future of this show.

This episode is the last one of season one of The Hero Beside Me Podcast. I want to thank you so much for joining me as I have embarked on this adventure to discover all the professions that dogs can have. We haven’t covered them all…it seems like people just keep discovering even new ways for dogs to display their genius…but we’ve covered quite a few, and it’s been a blast. I’m so grateful to have had your company on this wild ride.

Please consider signing up for the newsletter so I can let you know about future developments. Whether or not there will be another season is still to be determined, and this is where your feedback would be really helpful. And if you haven’t yet, please consider subscribing and rating the show.

Thanks again for your listenership, and thank you to all the handlers, trainers and dogs who participated this season. And don’t forget to give some extra love to the hero beside you today!

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

Love is the Best Therapy – with Love on a Leash

Welcome, listeners, I'm so glad you're here! In this episode you'll hear from Annie Zucker, therapy dog handler who works with her dog to bring comfort and happiness to those in stressful situations with an organization called Love on a Leash. Annie gives us the run down on what therapy dogs do and why she and her dog do this work; then, I tag along with her and her dog on a visit to an assisted living facility to check out what therapy dogs are all about!

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out anytime at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Pooper Troopers - What You Never Knew About Dogs, Sewage and the Water We Use

Welcome, listeners, I'm so glad you're here! In today's episode you'll hear my conversation with Karen Reynolds of Environmental Canine Services about the work she does with canines to keep our water systems pure. With sewage systems around the country that are aging, leaks are more common than anyone wants to think about, and those leaks contaminate our water ways and systems. But as usual around here, it's dogs to the rescue! Karen explains how canines are helping to keep this very real threat under control.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out anytime at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

A Turf War to End Them All - How K9s Are Fighting to Save Our Lands - with John Nores

Listeners, welcome back! I’m so glad you’re here. I’m really glad to have the opportunity to bring you today’s episode, because it will be very educational to many on some very important issues that affect all of us. If I hadn’t been introduced to today’s guest, I don’t know if I would have ever learned about the crucial work that K9s and humans are doing in his field of expertise. Now that I’ve learned about it, I’m honored to pass on the knowledge to you, and I hope that you will do the same and pass it on to the people in your world.

Friends, I am someone who happens to absolutely relish being in the outdoors. I love camping and backpacking and going on hikes in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but nature, having an unobstructed view of the stars at night, walking along flowing streams and breathing in crisp, mountain air. Going on camping trips to national parks is one of my most cherished past times, as is hiking on public lands with my dog. If you share these passions with me, then this episode is for you.

Maybe you’re listening to this and thinking that camping and hiking sound like the last activities on earth that you’d ever want to do. But you’re listening to this podcast, which is all about dogs, which means that in all likelihood, you’re a dog lover, and if that’s the case then you’re probably an animal lover in general. I’d be willing to bet that if you’re an animal lover, then you would be incensed if I told you that much of our wildlife…I’m talking about squirrels and rabbits but also bears, mountain lions, golden eagles, and the list goes on…are routinely poisoned in large numbers on our public lands.

If you live in California like myself, then you’ve had it drilled into you how important it is to conserve water, because we have had some serious droughts in recent years. How angry would you be to learn to that billions of gallons of our water are stolen to line the pockets of violent criminals?

Listeners, what I’m talking about is the situation we find ourselves in as Americans today – in a war for our environment, our wildlife, and our water – that most of us didn’t even know we were fighting. My guest today is John Nores, who, according to his bio, served 26 years as a warden for the California Department of Fish & Wildlife and co-developed and lead his agency’s elite tactical unit and sniper unit, which were developed to combat the most environmentally damaging criminals working within California and impacting the nation. He’s going to tell us all about those criminals, what they’re up to, why it matters, how dogs are integral to the fight against them, and how we can help.

Find out more on John's website, in his books, the latest of which is Hidden War, on his podcasts, The Thin Green Line, and Warden's Watch, and on social media @johnnores.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out anytime at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Dealing with Mussel Pain – Protecting Our Waterways with Debi DeShon of Mussel Dogs

Welcome, listeners, I'm so glad you're here! Today's guest on the episode is Debi DeShon, a long time dog trainer and handler and owner of Dogs with Jobs and Mussel Dogs. In this episode we talk about what it was like being a dog trainer on the set of the movie Beethoven, what contraband detection dogs are doing at schools, and how dogs are helping with the important work of protecting our waterways from the invasive quagga and zebra mussels, which are causing huge problems for our environment. Check it out and learn how you can help out, too!

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out anytime at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

It's Electric! – The Electronic Storage Device Detection Dog, with Mike Hadsell

Welcome, listeners! In today's episode, you'll hear my conversation with Mike Hadsell, founder of Peace River K9 Search and Rescue. He explains the relatively new discipline of electronic storage device detection, as well as when and why a K9 handler might end up in court, how even a chihuahua can be a working dog, and he mentions a topic for further exploration: scenting horses – whaaa? I think you'll enjoy this episode, and if you do, please let us know!

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out anytime at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Leading a Dubsle Life - feat. UW Mascot Dubs 2

Welcome back, listeners! I’m so glad you’re here. Today we’re highlighting the career of a dog whose job revolves around university life, and college sports: two powerful forces in the lives of many students, faculty, alumni and fans in the state of Washington and beyond. Having gone to a large state university with a huge emphasis on sports myself, I can relate to the importance of school spirit. And for Dubs 2 and his trainer, Anne-Lise, school spirit is what a day on the job is all about.

In this episode you’ll hear from Anne-Lise Nilson, the trainer of the University of Washington's live mascot, Dubs 2, about the ins and outs of what it’s like to be a university’s live mascot. And as a special treat, you'll even hear from Dubs himself!

Follow Dubs 2's adventures at www.gohuskies.com, or on social media on his Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out anytime at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Every Day I'm Trufflin' – Dogs Finding Treasures in Forests

Welcome, listeners, I’m so glad you’re here! In today’s episode, we’re going to focus on dogs who help their humans find things hidden in the forest. In a way, they’re treasure hunters. And what is the treasure they seek? First up, we’ll talk to Alana McGhee, a dog trainer, handler and owner of Truffle Dog Company, who will explain to us what she and her dogs go looking for in the forest: truffles! Next, Roger Sigler, owner of Antler Dogs, gives us the inside scoop on what antler shed dogs do.

For more information on either Alana or Roger and their work with dogs, visit https://truffledogcompany.com or http://www.antlerdogs.com, respectively.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out anytime at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Taking a Walk on the Wild Side – On Wildlife Shepherding K9s

Listeners, welcome! Thanks for joining us.

Today, you’ll hear from three dog handlers who are partnering with dogs in different ways to help humans and wildlife live together safely and harmoniously. They’ll be shedding light on a special career path for dogs: wildlife management. While that sounds like a job title for an administrator at a zoo or the department of fish and game, this version of the job is only for dogs.

Listen in as Rebecca Gibson of Flyaway Geese, Mark Biel of Glacier National Park and Nils Pederson of Wind River Bear Institute explain the important work that they are partnering with canines to do to protect people and wildlife and the precarious relationship between the two. It's an important topic and a fascinating one, and I hope you'll enjoy! You can follow the adventures of Gracie the border collie at Glacier National Park on her Instagram account, @barkrangernps.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out anytime at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Release the Hounds! – Fox Hunting with Red Rock Hounds

Welcome back, listeners, I’m so glad you’re here! Today I have a real treat for you! In this episode, I invited you to join me as I tag along with Red Rock Hounds, a foxhound hunt club just outside of Reno, Nevada. We’ll get to ride alongside as the members ride their horses behind their pack of hounds through the high desert on a glorious winter day, and watch these incredible working dogs in action.

If you'd like more information on fox hunting or about Red Rock Hounds, you can visit their website at https://www.redrockhounds.com.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out anytime at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

The Pet Detectives Are on the Case! - with Anne Wills of Dogs Finding Dogs (As Seen on Nat Geo Wild's "Trackers")

Listeners, today we get to hear from dog trainer and founder of Dogs Finding Dogs, Anne Wills, about how dogs are helping to find lost pets around the globe. This was a canine career that I knew nothing about before this episode, and I'm excited to share what I learned with you today. Listen in as Anne explains how she and her organization's trackers have found 8,000 lost animals and counting, reuniting them with their families. You can see them in action on their television show, Trackers, on Nat Geo Wild.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out anytime at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Searching Ground Zero - The Life of a USAR K9, with Steve Swaney

Welcome, listeners! In this episode, you’ll hear from Fire Chief Steve Swaney of Heartland Fire and Rescue in El Cajon, CA. (He’s the chief of the station where Yara the Firehouse Dog from Episode 20 lives!) Chief Swaney was a USAR K9 handler and deployed with FEMA for years, and today he shares with us what it’s like to work on a FEMA task force, and specifically, what his experience was like working his dog Sherman at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out anytime at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Just What the Dogtor Ordered - The Bio Detection K9, with Jamie Robinson

In today’s episode, you’ll hear a conversation between myself and Jamie Robinson of Canine Bio Detection Services. Jamie has been a dog trainer for almost fifty years, and today she’s going to be telling us about the work of medical alert and bio detection dogs specifically. I hope you are ready to be impressed by yet another avenue by which dogs are helping humans in a significant and life-changing way!

If you would like to get in touch with Jamie, you can reach her at 727-686-4246 or at k9biodetection@gmail.com. Her website is http://k9biodetection.net/.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

Listeners, I hope you enjoyed this episode and learned something new about the amazing things dogs can do. If you did, please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and review it so that others can find it.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! And if you’d like to say hi or comment on this or any other episode, feel free to reach out at hello@herobeside.me, or on social media @herobeside me. As always, thanks for listening, and be sure to give the canine hero beside you some extra love today.

Meet Me in the Snow Cave - with the Mt. Rose Avalanche Rescue Dogs

Listeners, welcome! In today's episode I bring you with me to the snowy world of the Mt. Rose Ski Resort near Lake Tahoe to hang out with some avalanche rescue dogs. This week's guest, ski patroller Paulette Schneider, takes us behind the scenes at a training exercise for the Mt. Rose Ski Patrol team, as their K9's Carmen and Baucus hone their cold-weather scenting skills to find subjects hidden beneath the snow. When it comes to being buried in an avalanche, time is obviously of the essence, and there’s nothing as timely as a dog’s nose for saving the day. Join me as I observe a work day for these amazing dogs and their handlers!

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

Listeners, I hope you enjoyed this episode and learned something new about the amazing things dogs can do. If you did, please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and review it so that others can find it. We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! If you’d like to say hi or comment on this or any other episode, feel free to reach out at hello@herobeside.me, or on social media @herobeside me. As always, thanks for listening, and be sure to give the canine hero beside you some extra love today.

All That Remains – the HRD K9

Welcome back, listeners! In today's episode, we're talking about HRD - human remains detection - canines, also known as cadaver dogs. I invite you to listen in on my conversation with two veteran K9 search and rescue volunteer dog handlers who partner with their HRD dogs to assist law enforcement in in finding missing persons who are thought to be deceased. Shelby Baran and Lori Wells both have a lot of experience in this discipline, and if you've never given much thought to this important task that dogs are so helpful with, allow us to introduce you to the world of the HRD K9!

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Unusual Circustances – The Story of a Circus Artist and His Circus Dogs (BONUS Ep)

Listeners, on this Valentine's Day I celebrate my love for all of you by bringing you this short but sweet BONUS episode! Today I invite you to join my guest, Rafael Vazquez, as he walks down memory lane to tell us about his life as a circus performer. He grew up in a family whose connections to the circus stretch back to the 1800’s, and in his time as a performer he had a high bar act, was a clown, did trampoline and aerial performances, was an elephant trainer, had an act with chimpanzees, and, relevant to the purposes of this podcast, he and his wife had a very popular act with dogs, which was known as “Al’s Pals.” I hope you enjoy hearing about this intriguing canine career!

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Always Beside You - Exploring the World of the Military K9

Listeners, in today's episode you'll hear from two former military dog handlers on what it takes to be a K9 service member in our Armed Forces, as well as what it takes to be a K9 handler. Dustin and Fidel walk us through what characteristics are required of a military K9, their training regimen, their day-to-day, and the bond between them and their handlers. Tune in and gain a new appreciation for these special partnerships that work tirelessly to defend our nation's freedoms and interests.

If you're looking for dog training services or expertise, check out North County Canine Training for info.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

We Get Along Like a House on Fire - feat. Yara the Firehouse Dog

When you ask little kids what they want to be when they grow up, how often do you hear the answer “fireman!”? Did any of you listening to this episode want to be a firefighter when you were a kid? Firefighters are society’s heroes…their job requires running toward danger in order to keep others safe. Saving lives, saving homes, saving cats stranded in trees…”saving” is what they do best. But who comes to save them when the burdens they bear after responding to one too many traumatic calls becomes too much? Who takes care of those who take care of all of us?

In this episode, we explore how one fire station in Southern California found a solution to his problem in the form of a therapy dog named Yara. With the blessing of their city's management and the help of dog trainer Sonny Madsen of K9 Caring Angels, this fire station adopted Yara to be their facility dog, to provide solace, comfort, joy and, as a result, ongoing anonymous therapy to first responders experiencing trauma on a regular basis. Listen in, as this heartwarming story is sure to bring you inspiration and hope, and teach you something as well.

If you'd like more information about facility dogs, you can reach dog trainer and founder of K9 Caring Angels, Sonny Madsen, at sonny.caringangels@gmail.com, or Fire Captain Travis Timmins of Heartland Fire & Rescue in El Cajon, California at ttimmins@heartlandfire.net.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

The Science of Working Dogs - with Dr. Jessica Hekman of The Working Dog Project

Welcome, listeners! In today's episode we're going to be taking a look at our topic from a different angle than we usually do, and talk about some of the scientific research being done about working dogs. I had the chance to talk with Dr. Jessica Hekman, a veterinarian, computational biologist, and Team Leader of the W orking Dog Project, which is a collaboration between Darwin's Ark, the Theriogenology Foundation, and other organizations to, according to their website, push "a new era of ultra-large-scale dog genetic research that will dramatically expand our understanding of the complex genetics of both behavior and health." Listen in as Jessica talks about canine genetics and other science-y things!

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Learning from a Living Legend - with Jeff Schettler

Welcome, listeners! In today's episode I talk with Jeff Schettler, a living legend in the world of dog tracking. Jeff and I chat about his personal career, which includes having been a K9 handler for police departments in California, being attached to the FBI's Hostage Rescue Teams' K9 Assistance Program, being a trainer for military dog handlers, training law enforcement and search and rescue teams around the globe, and authoring four books to date. He also shares with us many wise nuggets gleaned from many decades in the industry, from basics such as what a tracking dog's job actually is and how they do it, to knowing how to accept failure as a necessity in this line of work, and musing on what dogs have to teach us as humans. If you're a dog handler yourself or just fascinated by the work of tracking K9's, you will not want to miss this insightful conversation with Jeff Schettler.

To learn about Jeff's school, purchase his books, or to contact him, visit his website: https://gak9.com/.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We are currently trying to determine the future of this podcast and would love your feedback. Please take a moment to fill out this survey, and be sure to leave your email address so we can keep you updated! You can also reach out anytime at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Running with Moon Wolves - featuring Rancho Luna Lobos

In this episode I invite you to come with me to Rancho Luna Lobos, a dog rescue and rehabilitation center/professional dogsled racing kennel that also offers educational dogsled tours in Park City, Utah. Join me as I meet Fernando and his wife, Dana, who founded and run the organization, and Amanda, one of their mushers who takes me and a few other adventure-seekers on a tour of the ranch behind a team of dogs. You'll meet 70+ dogs who have been given a second chance at life after not finding themselves to be suitable pets, and in danger of being homeless or put down, and chances are good that you'll learn a lot – just like I did – about dogsled racing.

For more information about Rancho Luna Lobos, which offers educational tours to the public as well as day camps for kids, visit www.lunalobos.com.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We’d love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Guardians of the Wild - with Dr. Laurie Marker

In this episode I share my conversation with Dr. Laurie Marker, founder and Executive Director of Cheetah Conservation Fund. Dr. Marker talks about how her organization employs dogs in Africa and around the world to help preserve the dwindling population of wild cheetahs. They use Anatolian shepherds and Kangal dogs to protect livestock from cheetahs, eliminating the need for farmers to have to kill cheetahs to protect their animals. They use Belgian Malinois and other breeds as detection dogs, to detect the scent of cheetah scat so that researchers can monitor the activities and eating habits of cheetahs. Dr. Marker also pioneered the use of dogs as companions for orphaned cheetahs in captivity, which you can see demonstrated at several zoos in the United States. As always, dogs are helping humans in a myriad of ways to accomplish a worthy goal, and Dr. Marker gives us a lot of fascinating insight that you won't want to miss out on!

For more information on what Cheetah Conservation Fund is doing and how you can get involved, visit www.cheetah.org.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We’d love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

And That is How the Game is Played - with Kentucky and Derby of Amazon Prime's "The Pack"

Happy New Year, listeners! On today's episode we have special guests Kentucky and Derby from A mazon Prime's show, The Pack! The Pack is very much like the show, The Amazing Race, only with a twist – instead of featuring teams of two humans on a worldwide race against competitors, the teams on The Pack are human/canine teams! On the show, Kentucky, a human from, you guessed it – the state of Kentucky! – teams up with his goldendoodle, Derby, to compete against eleven other human/canine teams as they travel the globe together tackling challenges. In this podcast episode, Kentucky gives us the inside scoop on what the adventure was like, from the logistics of traveling with twelve dogs to a favorite challenge he and Derby tackled together while in the race. He also gives us an update on what the two of them are up to now!

While Derby is not a working dog by definition, he is on a surf team, and now you could consider him a canine actor as well! We couldn't resist doing this fun episode!

If you want to follow Kentucky and Derby on their adventures or buy a sweet matching set of tie-dyed sweatshirts for you and the furry hero beside you, you can check them out at www.derbycalifornia.com or anywhere on social media @derbycalifornia!

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in this topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

We’d love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

The Game is Afoot! – All About Dog Sports (BONUS Ep)

Merry Christmas, listeners, I'm so glad you're here! Today's BONUS episode is my Christmas gift to you!

Today, we’re going to broaden the umbrella of our topic just a bit to discuss dog sports. Competitive dog sports enjoy a huge following today, and even though dogs who compete in these sports do not necessarily qualify as working dogs, they and their handlers still put a lot of work and dedication into their craft, and I thought that they should be given some attention within the scope of this project. In the first episode, we went in depth about ring sports with dog handlers Kirsty and Allison, and I encourage you listen to that one as well. In this episode, you’ll get to hear from Lise Strum, dog trainer and owner of Agape Ranch Dog Sports, located in Southern California. Lise discusses dock diving, flyball, agility, frisbee, carting, and Schutzhund, but this list only scratches the surface of all the dog sports that exist. If you and your dog compete in sports together, or if you are interested in branching out into dog sports, this episode is for you! Lise also talks about ways that she is able to give back to the community through her business and her dogs, to organizations such as The Ddamien Project and Raising Hope Dogs. I hope you enjoy it!

Get in touch with Lise on Facebook or Instagram @agaperanchdogsports.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in the topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

I’d love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

I'll Stand By You - The Story of a Boy and His Autism Assistance Dog

Welcome, listeners, I'm so glad you're here! In today's episode you'll hear from Amy, an all-star mother of three, a flight test engineer, and a retired military spouse. Two of Amy's children have autism, and her son also has an autism assistance dog. Amy gives us insight into the world of autism and shares how life-changing her son's service dog has been. She shares her family's story with compassion, candor and humor, and if you want to, you'll learn a lot.

Amy's family is currently raising money for Raising Hope Dogs, the organization that provided their service dog. If you'd like to contribute to their campaign, you can do so here.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in the topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

I’d love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Ruling with a Golden Paw - with Mayor Max of Idyllwild

Welcome, listeners! In this episode, I invite you to journey with me into a world where the gold standard of leadership in politics is demonstrated by a golden retriever! Tune in as I visit Mayor Max (the 2nd), who reigns supreme as the no kidding official mayor of the town of Idyllwild, California. According to Phyllis, one of his "chiefs of staff," Max's charter is "to help make the world a better place by conveying unconditional love and doing as many good deeds for others as possible," encouraging others to "use love as the basis for everything you do and say, even when it's difficult." Phyllis asserts that he only does "kind and loving things for others," including school and hospital visits (pre-COVID), animal rescue activism, tourism promotion for his town and fundraising for various charities. He's known around the world, has been featured on various media outlets and even had a documentary made about him! He loves you whether you are Republican or Democrat, because he's a dog, and loving is what he does best. Decked out in a cowboy hat and red necktie and ruling from the bed of a pickup truck, this is one working dog who has a unique job and a special mission: peace on earth.

If you're ready to get behind a politician that everyone can agree on, you won't want to miss this episode! You can follow Mayor Max on Facebook, Instagram, or at http://www.mayormax.com/; and be sure to visit him next time you're in his neck of the woods!

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in the topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

I’d love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

When It All Turns to Rubble - with the National Search Dog Foundation

Welcome, listeners! In today's episode, I speak with Denise Sanders of the National Search Dog Foundation about disaster search dogs. Denise tells us about how SDF finds "rescued dogs that turn into rescuers" by searching for and finding suitable canine candidates in shelters, training them at their "Disneyland for dogs" training facility and eventually pairing them with first responders, so that as a team they can be deployed by their respective agencies after a natural disaster to find people who are alive and have been trapped underneath rubble or in other hidden places. Denise explains how these dogs are trained, what their "disaster city" facility is like, how they are paired with first responders, what a deployment can be like, and how you can help. You won't want to miss this episode!

You can check out what SDF is up to on their Facebook page here, or find the on Instagram @searchdogfoundation. Their website is: https://searchdogfoundation.org. You can read more about how the organization came to be by reading Hero Dogs, a book co-authored by the founder, Wilma Melville.

On this podcast, we seek to highlight the work being done by working dogs of all disciplines. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in the topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

I’d love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

You Herd It Here First

In this episode, the name of the game is herding! I share with you excerpts from my conversation with Terry Parrish, who has been working with dogs to herd livestock for 35 years! She’s a dog trainer, dog handler, sheep trial judge, breeder, owner of Action K9 Sports in California and cofounder of American Herding Breed Association. She talks about how she got into herding and how the AHBA came to be, the differences between herding for trial and herding on a farm or ranch, how lots of breeds are herding these days, how difficult of a sport trialing is, and many other interesting tidbits. Stay tuned until the end, when I bring you with me to my first sheep herding lesson with my dog, Lucy, to see just how challenging it is!

Check out Terry’s work and get in touch with her at http://actionk9sports.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ActionK9Sports, YouTube, or Twitter.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in the topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

I'd love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

All Duck or No Dinner - with Hogan the Hunting Poodle

Welcome back, listeners, to the podcast that celebrates the professional and private lives of working dogs of all disciplines. I'm so glad you're here! In this Thanksgiving episode, in honor of our American tradition of having our Thanksgiving meal center around turkey, I decided to take a deep dive into how game birds find their way onto our plates. In the first half of the episode, I chat with Greg Roberts, an outdoorsman and duck hunter, about what hunting for game entails and what a dog's purpose is on a hunt. After that I join Greg's friend, Burt Quick, and his dog, Hogan, at their duck club. Come along with me as Burt and Hogan demonstrate what waterfowl hunting is all about! I hope that as you enjoy your turkey this Thanksgiving that you take some time to reflect on all the things we have to be thankful for, including those who provide us with the food we eat...be they human or canine!

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in the topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

I'd love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

I'll Be Your Guiding Light - with Michael Hingson

Welcome back, listeners, to the podcast that celebrates the professional and private lives of working dogs of all disciplines. I'm so glad you're here! In this episode, I speak with Michael Hingson, who is a New York Times Bestseller as well as a speaker and business owner. Michael is blind and shares with us the ins and outs of working with a guide dog, some common misconceptions that sighted people often have about blindness, (and blunders we often make as a result), as well as his experiences escaping from the World Trade Center with his guide dog, Roselle, on 9/11.

Michael and Roselle were able to navigate their way down from the 78th floor of Tower One after the first plane hit, and he says he was not afraid that day. Now Michael has begun a coaching program to help others face and overcome their fears. You can find out more about the program, Blinded by Fear, by contacting him via michaelhingson.com, and remember to check back soon for the blindedbyfear.net. You can also read about Michael and Roselle’s escape on 9/11 in his bestselling book, Thunder Dog, or teach the children (and adults) in your life about blindness and guide dogs with his other book, Running with Roselle.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in the topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

I'd love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me or on Instagram @herobesideme. Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Providing Rest for the Weary - with The Ddamien Project

Welcome, listeners, I’m so glad you’re here! In honor of Veteran's Day, today’s episode features an excerpt of my conversation with Krystal Tronboll of The Ddamien Project. Krystal is a former U.S. Navy dog handler and has a very special relationship with our nation’s K-9 veterans. She and her husband have basically dedicated their lives to adopting and providing sanctuary to retired military working dogs, law enforcement working dogs, and contract working dogs who are not adoptable to a typical home due to medical or behavioral issues. Krystal feels strongly that these veterans deserve a safe and enjoyable retirement just like any other veteran - she believes that after years of working day in and day out, surviving the perils of war, and saving many a human veteran's life, they've earned it. Listen in to find out about her own history as a military dog handler, how she discovered her calling, and how you can help.

If you'd like to read this conversation in blog form, hop on over to The Hero Beside Me Blog on medium.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in the topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

I'd love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me.

You can learn more about The Ddamien Project at https://ddamienproject.org/ or on the organization's Facebook page. Learn about their umbrella organization, Mission K9 Rescue, here.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Welcome back, listeners, to the podcast that celebrates the professional and private lives of working dogs of all disciplines. I'm so glad you're here! In this episode, I speak with my guest, Amy Boggs, who works as a bed bug detection dog handler for Innovative Pest Solutions in California. Amy explains how dogs are used to detect the presence of bed bugs as well as what goes into being a bed bug detection dog handler. She even gives a few tips for how to avoid becoming a ride for these "hitchhiker" pests when you're traveling! You won't want to miss this interesting conversation!

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in the topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

I'd love to receive your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

Creating Space for a New Start - with Next Step Service Dogs

Welcome back, listeners, to the podcast that celebrates the professional and private lives of working dogs of all disciplines. I'm so glad you're here!

In today's episode, my guests and I discuss the value of a psychiatric assistance service dog to people who are suffering with PTSD. Gina Esoldi, Program Director for Next Step Service Dogs in San Diego, CA, joins me, along with two veterans, Tony and Richard, who have PTSD service dogs of their own. During this conversation, my guests explain how exactly PTSD service dogs give aid to their handlers and why it matters. It's a conversation worth listening to for anyone, whether or not one has encountered PTSD in one's own life, because as Gina points out during the episode, not all disabilities are visible. Learning about PTSD service dogs can help all of us understand the struggles of a trauma survivor, and thereby we can all become better supports for our fellow men and women who are facing this challenge.

I'd like to note that this episode was recorded outdoors due to Covid-19, and was recorded by a busy street. Please pardon the background noise as, in my opinion, the content is worth overlooking the audial challenges.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in the topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about that by visiting www.herobeside.me.

I'd love to receive your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me.

You can learn more about Next Step Service Dogs by visiting their website, https://www.nextstepservicedogs.org/ or their Facebook page.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to give the furry hero beside you some extra love today.

The Ultimate Roll Dog

Welcome back, listeners, to the podcast that exists to celebrate the working dog! The Hero Beside Me explores the professional and private lives of working dogs of all disciplines. Today I bring you a conversation I had with Brittney, a 30-year-old children's daycare professional who has MS and uses a wheelchair. She shares with us what life is like with a mobility assistance dog, her journey to acquiring her service dog, April, and what the general public should know about service dogs.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in the topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about it by visiting www.herobeside.me.

I'd love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me.

You can follow the adventures of April on Instagram: @service.angel.april

Learn more about Little Angels Service Dogs at https://www.littleangelsservicedogs.org/.

Saving the Planet, One Sniff at a Time - featuring Working Dogs for Conservation

Welcome back, listeners, to the podcast that exists to celebrate the working dog! The Hero Beside Me explores the professional and private lives of working dogs of all disciplines, and today we're delving into the world of conservation detection dogs.

I recorded this episode in Seligman, Arizona, when I went there to photograph a k9 team that was tracking black footed ferrets. These little guys are endangered and Working Dogs for Conservation is one organization that is helping with efforts to bring them back. This nonprofit deploys detection dogs for many conservation purposes around the world, and in this episode, you'll hear about some of them from WD4C's Outreach and Canine Specialist, Kayla Fratt. She talks to us about dogs who track endangered species that need protection, find troublesome invasive species that are wreaking havoc on their environments, and stop wildlife poachers in their tracks. She talks about the unique lifestyle of dog handlers in this field, and how having her personal pet dog become her professional partner has impacted their relationship.

If you are interested in conservation, the environment, and of course, dogs, then this episode is for you!

If you enjoy this episode, please consider subscribing to it, rating it, leaving a positive review, and sharing with people you know who are interested in the topic. This show exists in support of its sister photography project on the same topic and of the same name. You can learn more about it by visiting www.herobeside.me.

I'd love to hear your feedback, questions, recommendations and ideas concerning this podcast. Please reach out at hello@herobeside.me.

Get in touch with Working Dogs for Conservation at www.wc4d.org.

The Healing Power of a Canine Friend - featuring Surf Dog Ricochet

Welcome back, listeners, to the podcast that explores the professional and private lives of working dogs of all kinds! Today I’m sharing with you a portion of a conversation I had with Judy Fridono. Judy is a dog trainer in San Diego and founder of the nonprofit Puppy Prodigies. She has two therapy dogs who do very special work. Surf Dog Ricochet does adaptive surfing with kids who have disabilities, and does therapy work with active duty service members and veterans. She’s also a movie star! Cori, Judy’s other dog, helps children with special needs to learn to swim.

In this conversation, Judy shares about the special abilities of Surf Dog Ricochet, how dogs communicate with us, and how the presence of a therapy dog can help a person work through trauma. She also explains how Ricochet surfs with people, talks a little bit about Richochet’s role in the film, “Superpower Dogs,” and talks about Cori’s work in the pool.

If after hearing this episode you find yourself interested in being a service dog puppy raiser, getting a degree in canine studies, supporting Judy's nonprofit or volunteering with your own therapy dog, I've included links to the all the relevant information that was mentioned during the show.

I'm your host, Shana T., and I'm also a professional photographer. This podcast was created to accompany and support my current photography project, the goal of which is to document the professional and private lives of working dogs of all kinds. If you would like to stay updated about the project, please visit www.herobeside.me and sign up for the newsletter, or get in touch via email at hello@herobeside.me. Thanks for listening!

Relevant links from the episode:

Surf Dog Ricochet: https://www.surfdogricochet.com/ @surfdogricochet

Puppy Prodigies: https://www.puppyprodigies.org/

Canine Companions for Independence: https://www.cci.org/

Bergin University of Canine Studies: https://www.berginu.edu/

Pawsitive Teams: https://pawsteams.org/

Shana T. Photography: https://shanatphoto.com

The Hero Beside Me: https://herobeside.me @herobesideme

The Hero Beside Me

By Shana T.

Available on