How to be a K9 Conservationist

In this episode of K9 Conservationists, Kayla discusses the ins and outs of becoming a K9 Conservationist!

Episode suggestion: It’s okay to not finish a book if you aren’t liking it.

Call to action: Check out our new merch!!

Suggested by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, create a 3-way Venn diagram of how to get involved.

• Top circle is “what you love.”
• Circle off to the left of what you’re good at
• Lastly, a circle to the right of what the world needs.
• In the center could be some ways you can help save the planet, save some dogs, or be a k9 conservationist.

Smaller ways to help

• Be a more eco friendly dog owner by supporting local, reducing your carbon footprint during travel, etc.
• Volunteer with organizations that protect the land or start your own

Getting in the field of conservation detection:

• Your first 2 steps no matter what are similar if you want to be a handler: learn scentwork/handling/dog behavior and familiarize yourself with field biology and survey techniques
• Volunteer to start to see if its something you’d be interested in
• Education
  • Grad school is one option
  • Getting hired with a bigger organization is another
    • Working Dogs for Conservation
    • Rogue Detection Teams
    • Science Dogs of New England
    • Conservation Dogs Collective
    • WEST Inc
      • Summer gigs for wind and solar farms
      • You get hired with your dog
    • Other abroad organizations
  • Taking courses in person and online, such as Fenzi Dog Sport Academy for Nosework, Rogue Detection Teams, Conservation K9 Consultancy in Australia
  • K9 Conservationist podcast and patreon

Being a handler isn’t your only option, and it’s not for everyone. Other ways to get involved:

• Volunteer with us: course creation, social media, website maintenance - you probably have a skill we need!
• Work in another role like fundraising at another organization
• Biologists can hire us
• Shelter workers can help us find other dogs
• Donations, of course
• Get involved in your local community with the shelter, trail building, PlayCleanGo, wildlife rehab, or just pick up some extra dog poo bags.

You can support the K9 Conservationists Podcast by joining our Patreon at patreon.com/k9conservationists.

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