Jobs You Didn't Know Your Dog Could Have
We all have our dream job, and we’re not alone; dogs also have dream careers! There are jobs all around that call for four-legged employees with some bark and a little bite. These dogs are employed at police stations, hospitals, airports, universities and even in politics. They perform jobs that humans are unable to do. Dogs have special skills that set them apart from humans and other animals. Here are some dog jobs that you may not be aware of.
Law Enforcement Dogs
K9s are special canines that are highly trained and put their lives at risk to help protect the public. They assist law enforcement by providing patrolling services and by detecting narcotics as well as explosives. These dogs are highly intelligent breeds like German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds, and Labrador Retrievers. They are able to swiftly apprehend suspects, discover overlooked evidence, and search for missing people. SARS or Search and Rescue dogs can mean the difference between life and death, especially during natural disasters and mass casualty events. Dogs in law enforcement usually serve in the force for 6 to 9 years before hanging up their badge.
Airport Dogs
There are two types of dogs that work at airports: dogs that fall under the more law enforcing side and dogs that chase birds off the tarmac and runway. Dogs that work for the TSA or Transportation Security Administration detect substances at airports and on airplanes. They can be trained to search for drugs, explosives, traces of bomb-making materials, blood, agricultural items, firearms, or money. You may see them from time to time as you wait in line for security, keep in mind that they are working and should not be interrupted or distracted.
When it comes to dogs who chase birds off the tarmac, most think of the “Legend of Piper”. Piper was a Border Collie named K-Piper who worked in Michigan and has a special job: keep wildlife off the runways. Piper increased safety at the Traverse City airport for years with his owner and sidekick while wearing the most stylish goggles.
Medical Dogs
Sometimes the best medicine comes covered in fur and has four legs. There are countless dogs in the medical field helping with disease detection, physical therapy, and acting as service animals. These dogs help to detect, alert to, and provide relief for diseases and disorders such as diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s, autism, seizures, schizophrenia, and PTSD, according to the AKC. Hard-working canines in the medical field are trained to sniff for cancers in a half-dozen sample types, including blood, sweat samples, breath, tissue, and even urine.
Not only do these intelligent dogs help with disease, they can also help out humans in everyday life. These service dogs act as guides for those with seeing, hearing, mental, and mobility impairments. Most of these types of service dogs are legally allowed in places where pet dogs are not once they pass the proper certification exams. Excellent training facilities exist that can help pair people with their perfect service dog, trained specifically for their needs.
Sports Dogs
The crowd always goes wild for dogs, whether it’s at the park or in a stadium filled to the brim with thousands of people. Some of the dogs with the biggest applause work for sports teams all over, they could be the “hype man “or mascot of various sport teams. They often become a symbol for the team, much like UGA for the Georgia Bulldogs. Mascots aren’t the only career choice for dogs when it comes to the sports world though. For years, Boise State had a dog named Kohl that would fetch the tee after each kickoff, retrieving over 500 tees over his career. These active dogs bring a lot of joy to the sports world.
Dogs in Conservation
The scientific world holds a special place and job for canine workers. These fearless dogs have important positions in conversation like turtle egg monitoring, animal feces sniffing and more. A Labrador Retriever named Tucker plus his team of 16 other dogs employed through the University of Washington Center for Conservation Biology are trained to detect the scent of whale scat. Their special skill set allows them to sense the smell of the “killer whale” up to one nautical mile away. It’s one way that scientists can study the movement, health, and diet of the Orcas. These dogs help to protect and preserve certain species.
Some dogs work to ensure that sea turtles are protected by helping to monitor the nesting process. These dogs are trained to find baby sea turtle nests and help protect them.
Dogs in Politics
Whether it’s strolling the halls of the White House or running their own town, some working dogs are involved in politics. In 2020, Wilbur the Bulldog became the duly elected mayor of a Kentucky community and in California, there is a mayor named Max. Max is a golden retriever who won three consecutive elections in his small town.
White House dogs have done the job well by providing companionship and comfort to our leaders. Ever since Theodore Roosevelt, almost every President has taken office with a four-legged friend at their side.
Hardworking dogs from all over the world trust Sportsman’s Pride to fuel their heroic lives. From the office to the tarmac, dogs are serving the public and taking care of those who need it most. Does your dog have a job? Let us know and tag @sportsmans_pride.
