A short but uplifting episode, with a timely update on an important medical research project that seeks to isolate and establish what is hoped will prove to be unique bio-markers for Parkinson's disease.

Our interiewee is Claire Guest OBE, whose charity, Medical Detection Dogs has been at the forefront of some remarkable breakthroughs using bio detection dogs.

When Dogs with Jobs visited in 2023, the charity was just starting to consider whether its work could extend into Parkinsons - which is hard to diagnose currently. The classic sympoms of Parkinsons, such as tremors, become obvious only late on. So any contribution towards earlier diagnosis could bring a huge benefit to patients and allow earlier intervention.

Kate Fairweather grabs an update, before Claire disappears to the Literary Corner to read aloud from her book at Goodwoof 2025.

Recorded at Goodwoof 2025.

Connected episodes

• lorin, Iggy and Asher, bio detection dogs and owner, Dr. Claire Guest OBE
• Hear E-Coli detection dog Plum at work at the charity's training centre.
• Medical Alert dogs

Do you work your dog or know someone else who might like to come on the show? Get in touch with Kate, via team@shineradio.uk.

Find more dogs with interesting jobs.

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the time came to step up, much loved pet collie Tay abandoned the sofa for the sheep farm, where his herding talent has made him indispensable to lambing season on the farm.

Owner and professional trainer Martina Miradoli tried Tay on various sports, including agility, scent detection (he was good at this) and introduced him to sheep. Despite her efforts to stimulate him, his drive remained low.

Then, Martina and her partner had the chance to take on the tenancy of a busy farm which meant that Tay had to step up.

Martina describes Tay's journey from the sofa to the sheep farm, where he has come into his own at last - just 15 lambs to go at the time of recording.

• Find Martina and Tay on Instagram at @martina_bordercollie_geek
• Check out Martina's wonderful and aptly named podcast, The Border Collie Geek Podcast.

Photo credit: Martina Maradoli

For more photos, visit https://shineradio.uk/dogswithjobs

Connected episodes:

• Diva at the English National Sheepdog Trials 2023
• Edie, Max and Joe, the sheep farm workers

Get in touch!

Do you work your dog? Kate would love to hear from you! Sporting dogs, caring dogs, service dogs - the more varied the better. Get in touch on team@shineradio.uk.

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather, 2025

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viper is a German Shepherd just months off retirement after a colourful career in the West Midlands Police as a Firearms Support Dog.

Handler, Police Constable Dave Short gives an insight into how the relationship has evolved over the years with Viper, who was his first police dog. Dave joined the Dog section with 17 years of policing under his belt, but as a newbie in the Dog Unit, learned alongside Viper on the job.

It's a varied life, and Dave and his dogs are deployed in a wide range of situations. As Viper heads towards retirement with Dave's family, the newest member of the team is trotting along behind. Six month old German Shepherd, Loki, another has big shoes to fill, but things are looking good so far.

This episode of Dogs with Jobs was recorded at Crufts 2025.

You may also enjoy these connected episodes:

• 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 Met
• Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
• Keo the well being dog in the UK police; and
• Mabel the emotional support worker in the Fire Service

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.

Meet Harley, trained in peanut allergen detection - a highly unusual discipline - yet one that makes perfect sense.

Harley is one of two golden retrievers in the busy family household of this episode's interviewee, Natalie Rice.

Natalie is the primary handler, but we’re focusing less on Harley's training in this episode; instead exploring the human element and the impact of her work.

Natalie is a great interviewee - highly knowledgable on allergens, and wonderfully articulate on the dangers around food and social ritual for those people who, like her daughter, have a life threatening allergy.

Harley is a literal life saver and also a much adored pet - spreading joy in a household, which has always had golden retrievers at its heart.

• Follow Natalie on Instagram to see the reels she mentions in the interview @detectiveharleyfadd or visit her website
• Harley was trained by Kathy Watters of Nosey Dog Detection Partners in Wyoming

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.

I love to hear from you, and very much appreciate introductions to those who may not want to put themselves forward, but who are up for talking about the talents of our canine friends.

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.

Reporting from Crufts, the best known dog show in the world.

On International Women's Day, we hear from Police Constable Sue Cheek, who was the first woman instructor in the West Midlands Police's Dog Unit.

Police Dog Chase has already shown his superb recall and restraint in the ring earlier in the day. He'll be taking a starring role in the main arena later as part of the Dog Unit's traditional display...In a show that is half drama, half panto, the dogs thrill the packed audience with their abilities to quel disorder, apprehend burglars and bring down suspects.

Sue takes a few minutes out to chat with Dogs with Dogs presenter, Kate Fairweather about an illustrious career within the West Midlands Police. It's a last hurah for them all, since both Chase and her specialist explosives dog, Trev, retire alongside her in a few months time - a chance to do all the things together as pets, which you simply can't do as a police dog.

You may also enjoy these connected episodes:

• 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 Met
• Champ, the engagement dog working in child protection in the Victoria police
• Keo the well being dog in the UK police; and
• Mabel the emotional support worker in the Fire Service

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.

Herbie, a jet black labrador retriever works as a golf ball detection dog at several golf courses around Petersfield.

Owner Roger Hetherington explains how Herbie came to be a golf ball detection dog, the astonishing personal contribution he has made to the cancer charity Macmillan through a golf ball recycling initiative, and the unexpectedly grave danger that lurks on the golf course in high summer.

Dogs with Jobs

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 dogs?

Or perhaps they've taken it upon themselves to do a job, please do get in touch with Kate at team@shineradio.uk.

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024

Photo credit: Roger Heatherington

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Father of two, Nathan Foy, has worked with a guide dog since he was 18 years old.

Nathan explains the profound loss the accompanies the end of a partnership, as well as the gratitude he feels every time he steps outside his house with his guide dog partner.

It is also a fascinating insight into the human guide dog partnership and its evolution over time. Nathan explains the efficiencies that mark out a veteran dog and how non-verbal communication takes over from verbal commands over time.

Each of his (very different) dogs have accompanied him through various stages of life, according to their personalities and strengths:

• Hughie, his best mate saw him through his teens into his twenties, with many firsts experienced together;
• Bessie, whose intelligence and sociability made work trips all over the UK an adventure;
• Mason, whose steadiness guided Nathan, a toddler and a baby in a buggy safely across town every day and through Covid; and now
• Joey, who sits at the heart of family life, while supporting Nathan with the challenges of blind parenting.

Nathan works for Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Guide Dogs)

Connected episodes on assistance dogs

• 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
• Breck, the retired guide dog

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 work your dog/dogs and are interested in coming on the show on team@shineradio.uk.

© & ℗ Kate Fairweather 2024

Photo credit: Designed by Wannapik

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dogs with jobs pays an early morning visit to the Hursley Hambledon pack of English Foxhounds in their lodges.

Amid the early morning excitement of the pack, Kennel huntsman Keiran gives an insight into pack life. He explains that there's no a particular "top dog" among the boys. The social hierarchy is more complex and changeable among the girls. Surprisingly, the individual canine most "in charge" is not a foxhound at all - but a pint-sized terrier called Poppy.

With at least one, occasionally two litters a year, scenting talent and knowhow is passed down the generations within the pack over time, as older hounds retire and the youngsters join. Kieran's affection for the hounds is evident. When pressed, he admits to having a favourite, who will live with him as a pet once she retires.

Connected episodes

• Bloodlines and breeding: the breeding of hounds for a trail hunting pack

• Meet Debit and Dervish, the hunting hound puppies

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 2025

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.