George the Great Dane gives a 13-year-old girl with a life-limiting physical condition physical and emotional support. A search-and-rescue border collie cross named Rocket helps the California Task Force searching for survivors in earthquakes, hurricanes and mudslides. Ruger the anti-poaching dog detects illegal ivory and smuggled wildlife in Zambia. And in Italy, a Newfoundland dog named Reef helps teach a German shepherd the skills she needs to become a water rescue dog.
At a South African airport, border collies chase birds to prevent collisions with aircraft. In the UK, a sprocker spaniel’s extraordinary sense of smell and the natural protective instinct of the Anatolian shepherd dog together help in the conservation of endangered species. In Atlanta, a rescue dog helps support a child with autism.
Dogs are using their remarkable scenting skills for lifesaving conservation and pro-active environmental policing; in Canada, a team of canine detectives is sniffing out the destructive invasive zebra mussel.