Meet Our Working Dogs
Dog/handler teams play an important role in resource protection, visitor safety, and education in national parks. Their efforts are much more efficient and effective than other solutions, saving money and time. Find out what it takes to be a working dog and what it's like for the handler to be a part of the team.
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- Locations: Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Point Reyes National Seashore, Presidio of San Francisco
Thanks to park biologists and partners, visitors can again spot western pond turtles in popular parts of Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Presidio of San Francisco where they had vanished. But the turtles still need help growing their numbers. Cue an unlikely conservation hero: Canis lupus familiaris, the domestic dog! This May and June, specially trained dogs are helping biologists find and protect vulnerable turtle nests in the parks.
- Glacier National Park
Wildlife Shepherding in Glacier National Park
- Locations: Glacier National Park
In July 2016, Glacier National Park became the first National Park Service unit to use an employee-owned dog to help manage habituated wildlife. Resource manager Mark Biel uses his professionally trained border collie, Gracie, to move bighorn sheep and mountain goats out of areas of high visitor use, such as the Logan Pass parking lot. “Ranger Mark” and Gracie are also wildlife-safety ambassadors, helping remind people to stay a safe distance from all wildlife.
Last updated: February 22, 2019