Meet the team

Breed:- Human

DOB:- January - a long time ago

Favourite food:- Pasta

Lives for:- Dogs

Detects:- A good working dog

 Rachael's journey in professional dog training began in 2013, initially in the agility world, where she discovered a profound passion for dogs and the unique partnership between canines and humans. This passion for teamwork seamlessly transitioned into the detection world when Rachael embarked on her career in this field.

With years of experience as both a handler and trainer, Rachael has honed her skills across a diverse range of disciplines, including conservation, explosives, tobacco, cash and medical detection.

Rachael holds a deep affection for dogs and her work. Her belief in the power of positive reinforcement forms the cornerstone of her training philosophy, fostering trust and mutual respect between handler and dog.

Driven by a passion and fascination for the world of dogs and detection, Rachael made the decision to shift her focus primarily to the use of detection dogs for conservation purposes, aiding in ecological surveys and environmental research. 

She upholds uncompromising standards, ensuring that each dog undergoes thorough testing and preparation to become an operational search dog. At Paws for Conservation, we take pride in our commitment to excellence, and Rachael's dedication exemplifies our unwavering commitment to quality and professionalism in the field of detection dog work.

Breed:- Human

DOB:- December 1985

Favourite food:- Pizza

Lives for:- A decent tune

Detects:- Absolutely nothing!

 Aran's began working with animals back in 2010, following the completion of his bachelor's degree in animal sciences. He embarked on his career as a kennel manager at a local rescue center, where his affinity for dogs blossomed. His time at the rescue center ignited a deep love and appreciation for these incredible animals.

Transitioning into the detection dog world, Aran initially served as a kennel supervisor before advancing into training and handling roles across various disciplines. His expertise spans explosives, conservation, drugs, tobacco, and cash detection. Throughout his career, Aran's dedication and passion have propelled him to excel as a handler and trainer.

As head of conservation during a significant portion of his career, Aran played a pivotal role in pioneering the use of dogs in detecting wildlife. He spearheaded the development of best practice techniques and methodologies, contributing to the advancement of conservation efforts through innovative detection methods.

Today, Aran brings his wealth of experience and expertise to Paws for Conservation, where he collaborates with Rachael in their shared mission of utilising detection dogs for conservation purposes. Together, they uphold a commitment to quality training and rigorous testing of dogs before they are deployed operationally.

Breed:- English Springer Spaniel 

DOB:- April 2013

Favourite food:- Raw trachea

Lives for:- The ball

Detects:- Bat and bird carcass, research studies

 Max is a spirited Springer Spaniel, renowned for his remarkable agility skills and boundless enthusiasm. A seasoned competitor in agility, Max retired from the sport at an impressive Grade 6 level, just one step away from the pinnacle of success.

Transitioning seamlessly into detection work, Max has proven to be a natural talent, showcasing his trademark dedication in every task he undertakes. He has demonstrated an unwavering work ethic and an insatiable drive to excel.

Possessing a phenomenal nose, he consistently leads the team in bat carcass finds, a testament to his exceptional detection abilities.

However, Max is perhaps best known for his distinctive accessory – his goggles (Rex Specs). Sporting these protective goggles, Max ensures the safety of his oversized eyes, particularly crucial for a Springer prone to hay fever. 

With his boundless enthusiasm, and undeniable charm, Max embodies the spirit of dedication and determination, making him an invaluable member of the detection team at Paws for Conservation.

Breed:- English Springer Spaniel

DOB:- August 2014

Favourite food:- Anything

Lives for:- The ball

Detects:- Bat and bird carcass, research studies

Willow's journey is a testament to resilience and transformation. Initially arriving as a failed foster dog at 11 months old due to her high energy levels, Willow faced numerous challenges. She had rarely experienced the outdoors and was deeply fearful of people and her surroundings.

Through careful exposure, training, patience and perseverance, she blossomed into a confident and well-rounded detection dog.

In her years of experience in the detection world, Willow made significant contributions as a tobacco and cash detection dog. Her success in this role is exemplified by her remarkable achievements, including her biggest single find of 1.75 million illegal cigarettes in a self-storage unit, and her overall discovery of well in excess of 2 million illegal cigarettes.

Despite her success in tobacco searches, Willow's exuberant energy and spirited nature made her less suited for working in confined spaces such as small shops. Recognising her strengths and limitations, it was decided to retire Willow from tobacco detection and transition her into conservation work.

Since embarking on her new role in conservation, Willow has thrived. 

Breed:- Working Cocker Spaniel 

DOB:- November 2019

Favourite food:- Cat poo

Lives for:- Food... or socks!

Detects:- Bat and bird carcass, GCN

Stig, the most challenging but arguably the cutest member of the team, brings a whole lot of character and charm to our team. With a penchant for stealing anything and everything he shouldn't have (especially underwear and socks), Stig's antics keep us on our toes and provides endless entertainment.

Despite his "naughty" tendencies and lack of personal space awareness (he's known for snoozing on unsuspecting faces), Stig's intelligence shines through. He's proven himself to be a superb search dog. His natural inquisitive nature paired with precision and steadiness have solidified his status as one of our top-performing dogs, consistently delivering impressive results in the field.

A testament to his exceptional abilities, Stig is one of our a fully trained and proven Great Crested Newt (GCN) detection dog. During independently assessed GCN trials in early 2023, Stig achieved an impressive 100% accuracy rate, further cementing his reputation as a valuable asset to our team.

Despite his mischievous nature, Stig's dedication, enthusiasm, and methodical approach to his work make him an invaluable member of our detection team. 

Breed:- English Springer Spaniel

DOB:- January 2021

Favourite food:- Everything!

Lives for:- The ball

Detects:- Bat and bird carcass, GCN

 Harley, another of our rescue dogs came from troubled beginnings and is now a thriving member of our team.  Rescued after experiencing two failed homes before the age of one, Harley arrived with a clear need for purpose and direction.

From the moment he stepped through our doors, it was evident that Harley was in search of a job. As we began training him, his confidence grew with each new skill he acquired. Harley's work ethic is outstanding, demonstrating a level of dedication and enthusiasm that is truly inspiring.

During his first operational season in 2022, Harley exceeded all expectations. He showcased his immense potential and promise by successfully locating numerous carcasses, achieving a perfect 100% efficiency rate during trials. It was clear from the outset that Harley was something special.

In early 2023, Harley had the opportunity to participate in externally assessed Great Crested Newt (GCN) trials alongside AtkinsRealis. Harley achieved a perfect 100% accuracy rate during these trials. This accomplishment further solidified his reputation as a top-tier detection dog, capable of excelling in even the most challenging environments. He became our second externally assessed GCN dog.

Breed:- English Springer Spaniel

DOB:- June 2021

Favourite food:- Any food!!

Lives for:- The ball

Detects:- Bat and bird carcass, GCN, Dormouse

 Flo joined the team in 2022 from, her progress from a rescue to a remarkable detection dog has been a pleasure to witness. Arriving with boundless energy, just like her fellow team member Harley, Flo's high energy levels proved too much for her previous owners to handle.

Since joining our team, Flo has been an absolute joy. Residing with our colleague Aran, Flo has seamlessly integrated into her new environment and has quickly become an indispensable member of our team.

In her downtime, Flo's playful nature shines through as she delights in stealing Aran's toothbrush and embarking on countless laps around the field, all while unearthing toys that have long been lost.

 She ahs excelled in her training, graduating with flying colours after achieving a perfect 100% efficiency rate in her trials.

During her first operational season in 2022, Flo proved her worth time and time again with numerous successful bat and bird carcass finds. Her dedication and determination did not go unnoticed, and she quickly established herself as a valuable asset to our team.

In early 2023, Flo further showcased her skills by participating in external assessment trials for Great Crested Newts (GCN), where she achieved a perfect 100% accuracy rate. Flo is our third externally assessed GCN dog.

Breed:- Spaniel cross

DOB:- July 2019

Favourite food:- Sardines

Lives for:- The ball

Detects:- Bat and bird carcass, Dormouse

 Nala our cheeky rescue dog not lacking in any character! Arriving in autumn 2020 as a live wire with boundless energy and no recall, it was clear that Nala needed a purpose to channel her enthusiasm. We wasted no time in introducing her to the world of detection work, and she quickly proved herself to be a natural.

From the moment she started training on a neutral scent, Nala exceeded all expectations. Her pace, drive, and work ethic make her a standout candidate for conservation work.

Nala has undergone intensive training and is now a fully trained bat and bird carcass detection dog. Nala has demonstrated exceptional efficiency, achieving a perfect success rate thus far.

In addition to her work on wind farms, Nala is also involved in an important research project for the detection of the hazel dormouse. Her participation in this project holds the potential to revolutionise search methods and aid in the conservation of this particularly elusive species. If successful, Nala's contributions will pave the way for new and effective strategies in wildlife conservation.