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Meet Our Finders

You’re peering straight into the heart of our organization right here. Say hello to our badass Conservation Dogs Collective Canine Finders! This Wisconsin-based talented team of conservation dogs can sniff out anything with an odor to help protect the planet we love. Don’t let the term “working dog” fool you. Although our working dogs are high performers in the field, they’re having a blast while unleashing their natural-born abilities for a purpose.

ERNIE

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Meet the O.G. of CDCI, Ernie!

Ernie is a non-stop force in the field, but if we are going to be really honest, Ernie is a bit of a derp. Nightly, Ernie can be seen in the living room carrying his food bowl and doing “the wiggle dance” before retiring to sleep snuggled up to his Keeper, Laura. Ernie earned his NW1 title in 2024.

Ernie's Stats

  • ​Age: 7 years

  • Weight: 60lbs

  • Breed: Labrador Retriever

  • Keeper: Laura

  • Trained to find: Bumblebee nests, Blanding's turtles, Wood turtles, New Zealand mudsnails, wild parsnip rosette, birch, anise, clove, and more!

Fun facts

  • ​Nicknames: Derp, Ernie Nernie, Noodle

  • Favorite Food: Um... everything!

  • Favorite Toy: Shoes, socks, gloves, and kitchen towels

  • Favorite Sleeping Position: On his back, spread eagle!

  • Favorite Color: BOWL!

  • Best Friend: His "auntie" Holly

BETTY WHITE

Our not-so Golden Girl, Betty!

Tiny but mighty, Betty White lives up to her name. In the field she's an intense, hard-working dog. At home, she’s the world's best snuggler. Betty is a detail-oriented gal who leaves no leaf unturned when it comes to locating native bumble bee nests, and earned her NW1 title in 2024.

Betty White's Stats

  • ​Age: 5 years

  • Weight: 45lbs

  • Breed: Labrador Retreiver

  • Keeper: Laura

  • Target Odors: Bumblebee nests, Blanding's turtles, New Zealand mudsnails, birch, anise, clove

Fun facts

  • ​Nicknames: Betty Bang, Tinker, BW

  • Favorite Food: Squeeze cheese and blueberries

  • Favorite Toy: Cardboard and junk mail

  • Favorite Sleeping Position: Curled up in a ball

  • Favorite Color: Ruby red

  • Best Friend: Whoever has the warmest couch spot

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SKYE

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It's our merle girl, Skye!

Skye joined the Finder squad in 2024 to support our Blanding's turtle project work. Her natural nosey ability extends beyond the field, too! Her and her Keeper, Dana, earned their NW3-Elite title from the NACSW in 2024 and are now competing at the Elite level.

Skye's Stats

  • Age: 7 years

  • Weight: 50lbs

  • Breed: Australian Shepherd

  • Keeper: Dana

  • Target Odors: Blanding's turtles, birch, anise, clove

Fun facts

  • ​Nicknames: Skye Girl

  • Favorite Food: Cheese!

  • Favorite Toy: Ball

  • Favorite Sleeping Position: Curled up on a chair

  • Favorite Color: Teal

  • Best Friend: Her Keeper, Dana

SUMMIT

Our "Tri-guy," Summit!

Summit joined the Finder squad in 2024 to support our Blanding's turtle project work. His nose work skills extend beyond fieldwork as well. Him and his Keeper, Dana, earned their NW3-Elite title from the NACSW in 2024 and are now competing at the Elite level.

Skye's Stats

  • Age: 6 years

  • Weight: 58lbs

  • Breed: Australian Shepherd

  • Keeper: Dana

  • Target Odors: Blanding's turtles, birch, anise, clove

Fun facts

  • ​Nicknames: SumBum

  • Favorite Food: Cheese!

  • Favorite Toy: Frisbee

  • Favorite Sleeping Position: Anywhere it's dry

  • Favorite Color: Red

ALVA

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It's our sweetie from Texas, Alva!

Puppies born under a porch in rural Texas don’t often have a great chance at survival, much less becoming a Rockstar scent detection canine. Alva is just that! One of her ears sticks out a bit, and if she could talk, she would tell you that it makes her stand out. (Alva’s the kind of girl who’s not concerned with fashion). 

Alva's Stats

  • Age: 10 years

  • Weight: 55lbs

  • Breed: Rottweiler, Labrador Retriever 

  • Keeper: Clairess

  • Target Odors: New Zealand mudsnails, birch, anise, clove

Fun facts

  • ​Nicknames: Alvarado, She-Devil, A-dog

  • Favorite Food: Hamburgers

  • Favorite Toy: Do squirrels count?

  • Favorite Sleeping Position: Curled up with Clairess

  • Favorite Color: Yellow

HARRIET

Harry has a smile that'll melt your heart

Harriet was a stray living the hard life on the streets of Milwaukee. When she was found she was a sweet but scraggly little thing that weighed only 23 lbs., less than half of what her weight should have been. She was first brought into Clairess' home as a foster, but Alva loved her so much she invited her to stay—and gave her a cat named Gizmo.

Harriet's Stats

  • Age: 10 years

  • Weight: 50lbs

  • Breed: American Staffordshire Terrier

  • Keeper: Clairess

  • Target Odors: New Zealand mudsnails, birch, anise, clove

Fun facts

  • ​Nicknames: Harry Potter, Harry

  • Favorite Food: Food? Ewww! Tug?! YESSSS!

  • Favorite Toy: Anything that she can tug

  • Favorite Sleeping Position: On top of Alva

  • Favorite Color: Orange

  • Best Friend: Gizmo, her housemate kitty

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LILY

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The seriously playful, Lily!

Lily is a girl on the go who is up for anything. She approaches the world full of play and curiosity, which makes using that brilliant nose an especially good activity! She loves a good nap, but a toy in her mouth and some good booty scritches are her very favorite. Lily was a part of our New Zealand mudsnail program study from late-2023 through Summer 2024, and is currently competing at the NW3 level in the NACSW.

Lily's Stats

  • Age: 4 years

  • Weight: 55lbs

  • Breed: Labrador Retriever

  • Keeper: Katie

  • Target Odors: Birch, anise, clove

Fun Facts

  • ​Nicknames: Lil' Bit, Lily Pad

  • Favorite Food: Anything and everything

  • Favorite Toy: Her orange ball

  • Favorite Sleeping Position: Pressed up against a human or curled in her favorite chair

  • Favorite Color: Teal

  • Best Friend: JJ, her dog brother

Photos courtesy of Lindsay Hayward, Sarah Loach, Katie Homan, Dana Pelzer

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