Amphibian and Reptile Detection Dogs

31/12/2025

🎉What a year 2025 has been…

💦🐕I setup first detection dog unit within a water company in the UK as the primary detection dog handler

🤝Collaborated with the wonderful to train Bandit and Bluey

✅Bandit and Bluey passed their assessments becoming fully fledged operational detection dogs

📖 Put together Wessex Waters detection dog directive to ensure the dogs welfare is prioritised throughout their working career and beyond

💵 Bandit and Bluey contributed to a £1.2 million saving on their first reactive job

🎉I completed my last ever research trial for my PhD

🦎Obi passed all of his assessments becoming my third operational great crested newt detection dog. Big thank you to for years of support, training and mentoring.

🐶 🐶🐶🐶🐶I now have a total of 5 operational detection dogs working for Wessex Water…hoping to expand the team next year with more handlers and dogs

💰Great crested newt detection dogs saved £30,000 and saved over 2 years of project delays

🦎Obi, Newky and Freya found over 70 great crested newts this year.

🎂 Freya turned 10 in August 😱 but still no sign of slowing down and continues to love doing her job!

Looking forward to what 2026 will bring…hopefully a finished thesis and a new title 👀🤞🎓

Happy New Year everyone 🍾🎊🎉🥳🐶

24/12/2025

What a year! I couldn’t be prouder of my incredible four-legged team. And when you have the best job EVER, working on Christmas Eve isn’t something to complain about. Merry Christmas, everyone 🎄🐾

31/10/2025

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been carrying out great crested newt detection work for the Wessex Water ecology team. This has included precautionary searches and detailed inspections along fence lines before their removal following project completion.

This video really showcases Newky’s strength in the field, each of my dogs has their own unique skill, but this one is definitely Newky’s! 👌 Watch as he methodically works the fence line, even through dense foliage, demonstrating his focus and determination.

17/10/2025

Last night, I had the incredible honour of watching my trainer, mentor, and dearest friend, Louise Elizabeth Wilson Conservation K9 Consultancy, alongside her amazing spaniel, Henry, accept a truly well-deserved IFAW award.

Having known Louise for eight years, I’ve witnessed first-hand her unwavering passion and dedication to wildlife, conservation, and the use of detection dogs. She is the most determined, caring, and inspiring person I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.

This award is a true reflection of her tireless hard work and commitment to making a real difference in the world of conservation.

Thank you, Louise, for letting me be a part of this special day and for the absolute joy of sitting beside the wonderful Henry during the event 🥰

20/09/2025

After 5 years, 720 trial repeats, approximately 150 great crested newts in temporary captivity, and 3 incredible detection dogs who’ve made me beyond proud — the research trials are officially complete! 🙌

I want to extend my deepest thanks to every single person who has supported me in some way throughout this journey. Whether you helped once or stuck with me through it all — your efforts made this possible. It truly takes a whole community to make something like this work.

Special shout-outs:

🐾 Jamie Mitchell – for your outstanding handsearching skills and fiercely competitive nature! I’ll be expecting that knee surgery bill any day now 🥴🤣

🛠️ Keystone – thank you for donating your time, fencing materials, and strimming to help prep the plots. It’s always a pleasure working with you!

🏞️ Heidelberg Materials– for giving me access to the quarry and the opportunity to run trials there over the past five years. I’m incredibly grateful.

🐕 Conservation K9 Consultancy – thank you for always being at the other end of the phone (or in person!) offering advice, encouragement, and training support whenever I needed it.

🎓 Robert Jehle – my supervisor and mentor, thank you for your guidance, belief in me, and for pushing me to aim higher every step of the way.

And finally, to my three wonderful operational dogs — thank you for sniffing your hearts out and loving every minute of it. You’re the real stars of the show.

Now… time to write up the thesis 😅

06/09/2025

Happy 5th birthday to this wonderful legend of a dog, Obi. We celebrated by a trip to a secure paddock to play with his fellow pack, followed by our annual birthday trip to where he could select his birthday treats and toys. It’s been so wonderful watching him mature and thrive in newt detection. From rescue dog to a super sniffer 💪 🐶 🦎

04/09/2025

We had our first research trial last week, and the conditions were tough — cracked ground from the dry weather, followed by heavy rain and bursts of hot sunshine. But Obi didn’t let us down. Just one more trial to go, and that’ll be the end of it 😱. It’s hard to believe — after five years, three dogs, and nearly 700 trial repeats.

04/08/2025

🐾 Introducing the Wessex Water Detection Dog Directive 🐾

We’re proud to launch our Detection Dog Directive — a formal commitment to ensuring our incredible detection dogs receive the highest standard of care, both on and off duty.

The directive is fully aligned with:
✔️ The DEFRA Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs
✔️ The Animal Welfare Act 2006

It has also been independently reviewed by leading experts in animal welfare and conservation, including:
🔹 RSPCA
🔹 Veterinary Task Force
🔹 Conservation K9 Consultancy
🔹 CAPE SPC

Our dogs are more than working animals — they’re valued members of the Wessex Water team. This directive ensures their welfare is prioritised in every aspect of their lives, from working in the field to relaxing at home.

📄 The full document is available on request.
🐶 Learn more about our canine team here:
👉 https://corporate.wessexwater.co.uk/our-purpose/detection-dogs

We are the first UK water company to have an in-house team of detection dogs tasked with using their noses to help protect the environment.