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Dogs with JobsMeet the frontline workers of the canine world. Author: 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. Language: en-gb Genres: Kids & Family, Pets & Animals Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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The hero dogs who find survivors in the rubble of disaster zones
Sunday, 1 November, 2026
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 2026See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
