Dogs with Jobs

Petersfield's Shine Radio

Celebrate the frontline workers of the canine world.

Kate Fairweather comes face to face with a diverse cast of working dogs, perfectly equipped with the instincts, intelligence and training to handle everything their jobs throw at them.

Humans and dogs have worked together for centuries - and still do today in our communities.

Some work with handlers, drawing on their natural hunting, herding, or guarding instincts, or an exceptional sense of smell. Others perform caring roles, providing companionship and support to humans.

Podcast of the Year at the Community Radio Awards 2022.

Produced by volunteers at Petersfield's Shine Radio. Contact Kate at team@shineradio.uk or call 01730 555 500.

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November 1 · 42 min
The hero dogs who find survivors in the rubble of disaster zones
Jarvis the working cocker and Bailey the labrador are highly trained Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) dogs. Along with veteran handler Graham Currie, the dogs are first responders to disaster scenes in the UK such as train crashes or collapsed buildings. 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. Graham and his dogs are part of International Search and Rescue (ISAR) a search and rescue international mutual aid cooperation that came into being after the 9/11 attacks. 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. 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. Graham talks compellingly about Bailey's most recent deployment with ISAR to Venezuela in the wake of its huge earthquake. 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 at team@shineradio.uk © & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 1 · 36 min
Romance and the Wessex Bloodhounds
Bloodhounds have such an extraordinary nose, that they can distinguish - and track - the scent of individual human beings. 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.
September 1 · 13 min
Meet the Flyball Buccaneers - a team of canine athletes
Meet the Flyball Buccaneers, a Flyball team that we met at Dogs Day Out 2026 in May this year. 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.
August 3 · 59 sec
Dogs with Jobs takes a summer break
Dogs with Jobs is taking a break over the summer. Back in September. 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.
July 4 · 18 min
Peggy Sue, the veteran agility dog and an overview of agility as a sport
Nine year old collie, Peggy Sue, is on her last agility season this year. 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.
June 1 · 33 min
Tweed, the UK's first digital asset detection dog
Tweed, the springer spaniel has the distinction of being the UK's first digital asset detection dog. 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.
May 17 · 32 min
Service Dogs UK: Helping Veterans to train their own PTSD Service Dogs
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. 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.
May 1 · 34 min
Rey, the one-eyed PTSD assistance dog
Rey is a rescue dog who supports his human partner, Jack, with the challenges of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 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.
April 25 · 40 min
Celebrating International Guide Dog Day 2026
A bonus edition of Dogs with Jobs. 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: LinkedIn. Do you work your dog or dogs? Kate is generally obsessed with working dogs and loves to hear about them – the more varied the better! Keep the introductions coming! If you, or someone you know works their dog or dogs, and would consider being interviewed on Dogs with Jobs, please get in touch with Kate via team@shineradio.uk. © & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 1 · 36 min
River, the signal crayfish detection dog
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. 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 information.
March 1 · 25 min
Ratting with the West Sussex Warreners
Spirits are high as 18 dogs and their owners brave the rain to clear rats from an area of cover crop on a shooting estate in Hampshire. It’s a “bobbery” pack of different breeds, from a sizeable lurcher to a mini sausage dog, along with terriers and hounds. Host Kate Fairweather marvels at how the different breeds instinctively apply their skills to the jobs that suit them best - marking the rat holes, digging or standing by to chase any rats that slip past the terriers. After months spent gorging on grain left for the pheasants, the rats have multiplied in the area around the grain bins and ‘cover crop’. Poison is the only alternative to dogs, with the attendant risks to wildlife, so the gamekeeper welcomes the rat pack as the most effective and humane option. It’s noisy, it’s muddy, it’s exciting and it’s certainly quick - a hard bite to the neck, combined with a shake kills the rats instantly, and the dogs move on to the next, cheered on by their owners. Kate Fairweather was guest of the West Sussex Warreners. Feel free to get in contact with the West Sussex Warreners if you have a farm or a shoot with a rat problem in Hampshire, Sussex or Surrey. They are fully insured and all their dogs are broken to livestock. Connected Episodes Dogs with Jobs features the full range of working dogs, therapy dogs, military and service dogs, assistance dogs, bio detection dogs, sporting dogs and other more unusual occupations such as truffle hunting, modelling and conservation detection work. If you enjoyed this, you may also like other episodes that feature sporting dogs and hunting hounds: 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 generally obsessed with working dogs and loves to hear about them – the more varied the better! Keep the introductions coming! If you, or someone you know works their dog or dogs, and would consider being interviewed on Dogs with Jobs, please get in touch with Kate via team@shineradio.uk. © & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
February 1 · 22 min
P.D. Albert, the cadaver dog
Albert is a clever young working cocker showing plenty of talent at his grisly, yet very important job. P.C. Matt Thompson of the West Midlands Police is a joy to listen to - he is focused 100% on Albert while he's waiting for his next "big" dog. Albee is showing plenty of potential and Matt is an articulate and humorous interviewee. Please be aware that, there is some detail about the reality of life as a victim recovery dog, which some might find unsettling. If you found this episode interesting, you may enjoy hearing about several other dogs in a similar line of work. As Matt explains in this interview - Albee works in the city, but the job can be very different in different areas of the country, and these interviews illustrate that difference: Jax the victim recovery dog with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary - who does a live demo on the show. Jax' handler is strong on the human element; and Rambo the forensic police dog, with some detail about recovering victims from water - a sub-specialism of this discipline. More amazing police dogs (other working dogs are available on the podcast - just scroll through). Oreo, the digital asset dog Billy the drug detection dog 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 Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police Do you work your dog or dogs? Or perhaps know someone else whose dog is doing an interesting job? Please get in touch! I love to hear about dogs with interesting jobs. Find me at kfairweather5@gmail.com or team@shineradio.uk. © & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 24, 2025 · 41 min
Dogs with Jobs Christmas Special 2025
In this Christmas and 5th birthday special programme, creators Kate Fairweather and John Welsman pick some of their favourite episodes to celebrate five years of fun making podcasts together. Episodes referred to in this episode: The National Police Trials 2025 Nathan Foy on the guide dogs that have taken him from boyhood to parenthood, Harley, the peanut allergen detection dog From first steps to a Canicross ultramarathon for Logan the spaniel and owner Sara Billy, the drugs detection dog of the West Midlands Police Dogs with Jobs features the full range of working dogs, therapy dogs, military and service dogs, assistance dogs, bio detection dogs and other, random occupations such as truffle hunting, modelling and more. Browse more dogs with interesting jobs. Do you work your dog or dog? Get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you’re interested in coming on the show on team@shineradio.uk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 3, 2025 · 29 min
Billy, the drugs detection drug with the West Midlands Police
A window into the working life of Billy, a young spaniel with a promising career ahead of him as a drugs detection dog. Billy’s handler, Police Constable Paul King describes Billy’s training and how they navigate the leap into operational work. There's plenty of detail along the way - the difference between proactive and passive drug scanning. Drugs detection work is a great game in some ways - criminals extend themselves to come up with ever more ingenious ways of hiding them and use decoy smells so Paul is alive to any opportunity to keep Billy’s skills evolving, too. Paul explains why the greatest tool in the police toolbox is a dog's nose. Recorded in the back of a police van at Crufts, the UK's largest dog show, in March 2025. (I forgot to photograph Billy, hence going with the stock photo...I will replace it! ) You may also enjoy these connected episodes about the many disciplines within the police: Oreo, the digital asset dog 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 Do you work your dog? Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview. Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk. Find more dogs with interesting jobs. © & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 17, 2025 · 21 min
Koa, the therapy dog working in Manhattan schools and hospitals
Short but sweet, this episode of Dogs with Jobs was recorded in New York City, on the run up to Thanksgiving holiday. Koa is a Rhodesian Ridgeback - not a breed you see in therapy work too often. His owner, Andy Honda, is a Rhodesian Ridgeback fan, and chose Koa as a future running partner. They live a couple of blocks from Central Park in Manhattan, New York City. Andy explains how Koa ended up working in the therapy field with Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather. More about Koa's life and the book Andy mentions on Christmas in New York here. Other therapy and wellbeing dog stories: Baloo, the injured police dog turned award-winning wellbeing dog Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police in Australia Sprout, the care home visitor Mika, the support dog working in the UK's Metropolitan Police Louis the hospital volunteer attends a veterans' support session Mabel, emotional support worker in the fire service Phantom, the secondary school reading assistant Interested in therapy work with your dog? These are just some of the orgnaisations – there are many others so please do research this wherever you are based. Koa and Andy volunteer in New York City: The Good Dog Foundation Therapy Dog organisations in the UK: Pets as Therapy, Therapy Dogs Nationwide Patricia Bland of Pets as Therapy, the UK charity, explains what qualities she looks for in a therapy dog Do you work your dog? Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs - and am always looking for dogs to come on the show. Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk. Find more dogs with interesting jobs. © & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 1, 2025 · 28 min
Baloo, the injured police dog, forges an award-winning new career
Meet Baloo, a charismatic Belgian Malinois whose promising police career was cut short when she was hit by a suspect's car, leaving her for dead at a crime scene in 2018. Baloo came out of emergency surgery full of metal bolts and without her front right leg. As an amputee, she was forced into medical retirement. Baloo was adopted by retired police dog handler, Mandy Chapman, who sensed the potential for a new career direction: trauma support. It's been a hugely successful partnership, culminating in Baloo winning Hero Dog of the Year at Crufts 2025. The pair support police officers, staff and their families through the wellbeing charity Oscar Kilo's dog charity, the "OK9" organisation. Their work goes beyond the police force, and includes visiting nursing homes and schools in support of the wider community. Mandy Chapman talks to Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather from the Dogs Making a Difference Awards organised by the charity, Service Dogs UK - where Baloo took yet another award for his support work. Fellow award nominees included Mika, the well being and trauma support dog in the Metropolitan Police, who came on the show back in 2023, and Phil, the dual qualified medical alert and autism assistance dog, who came away with an award, too. Other police dog career stories: Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police 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 Do you work your dog? Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs - and am always looking for dogs to come on the show. Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk. Find more dogs with interesting jobs. © & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 18, 2025 · 16 min
The hidden working lives of Prison Dogs
Former prison officer and highly experienced prison dog handler, Simon Broadis, describes the demands on prison dogs and how they have evolved over several decades in the prison service. A rare window into the working lives of prison dogs. Recorded at the Dogs Making a Difference Awards 2025, organised by the charity, Service Dogs UK. Find other dogs with interesting jobs. Do you work your dog or dogs? Please get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you would be interested in being on the podcast by emailing team@shineradio.uk. © & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 1, 2025 · 22 min
Phil, the award-winning Medical Detection & Autism Assistance Dog
Rescue dog Phil alerts his 22 year old handler, Felicity Brown, to impending collapse or sudden loss of consciousness. His alerts give her time to sit, lie down or seek support. He is also trained to perform autism related tasks such as deep pressure therapy, locating named people or safe exits, and helping her avoid emotional dysregulation. Phil and Felicity are the first dual trained partnership collaboration between the assistance dog charities, Dogs for Autism and Medical Detection Dogs. Felicity and her family trained and graduated Phil through the owner-trainer programme at Pawsable Assistance Dogs CI, and then applied for the owner trainer programme at Medical Detection Dogs, giving another dimension to Phil's skillset. So a lot of firsts! A big thank you to Felicity and her mum for talking to Dogs with Jobs. And congratulations to the team on winning the Rescue Dog Medal of Honour at the the Dogs Making a Difference Awards in September 2025, organised by the excellent charity, Service Dogs UK. Connected episodes on assistance dogs Duke, the PTSD assistance dog 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 Medical Alert dogs in training: life before they start work Plum the e-coli detection dog at work at the charity's training centre Dr. Claire Guest and her three bio detection dogs as she describes how labrador Daisy detected her breast cancer, and inspired the charity, Medical Detection Dogs Do you work your dog? Or perhaps you know someone else who might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview. Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk. Find more dogs with interesting jobs. © & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 15, 2025 · 10 min
Jez, of Little Nippers, the travelling show, visit South Downs Show
A short but sweet mid-month catch up with Jez and his owner/handler, Phil Gibbon. Jez is a saluki whippet and the youngest of a team of sighthounds that together work under the stage name "Little Nippers", as a performing troupe of terriers and lurchers at country shows all over the UK. Their entertaining performance at country shows educates the public and demonstrates the lost sport of coursing, using an electric lure. Coursing is the hunting of game such as hares with greyhounds, which use sight rather than scent, and has been banned in the UK since 2004. You may recall we met Phil Gibbon a few years back and talked about life as a travelling showman with his pack of dogs and birds of prey to Dogs with Jobs presenter Kate Fairweather. His beloved dogs travel in comfort, like the performers they are, but are also family pets, many names after members of the family. Find other dogs with interesting jobs. Do you work your dog or dogs? Please get in touch with Kate Fairweather if you would be interested in being on the podcast by emailing team@shineradio.uk. © & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 1, 2025 · 14 min
Duke, the PTSD service dog
Duke is a working cocker spaniel. A rescue dog, who has, thanks to the training expertise of Service Dogs UK, forged a surprise career as a fully trained PTSD service dog with British army veteran, Pete. Spending Saturday at a busy country show in itself demonstrates the impact Duke has had on the life of his owner and handler. Before his partnership with Duke, Pete couldn't go into a shop. He explains how Duke helps him when he’s at risk of an PTSD episode and the practical and emotional support he provides. Dogs with Jobs presenter, Kate Fairweather, met Duke and Pete at the South Downs Show in August (and was so transfixed by Duke and Pete that she forgot to take a photo!)... A big thank you to Pete for talking to Dogs with Jobs and giving an insight into how Duke has transformed his life and become part of his wider family. Connected episodes on assistance dogs 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 might like to come on the show? I love all and any working dogs and am always looking for dogs to interview. Get in touch with me, Kate, via team@shineradio.uk. Find more dogs with interesting jobs. © & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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