Dear EarthTalk: What are conservation dogs? — Jon Gretcham, Portland, OR
Simply put, conservation dogs are canines specially trained in sniffing out evidence of specific wildlife species that scientists are seeking to learn more about for one reason or another. Most commonly these dogs are used to help biologists understand where and how threatened or endangered wildlife species are hanging on—or if they are still around at all.
At the forefront of this burgeoning field is Rogue Detection Teams (RDT), a Washington State based non-profit that sends their specially trained dogs around North America and beyond to help scientific researchers, government agencies and non-profit groups gather field evidence in order to further their conservation work.
It’s no wonder that conservationists have started using detection dogs, a standard practice in the military and law enforcement since the 1940s when U.S. troops first employed canines to detect German land mines in North Africa. By pairing human handlers well-versed in ecology and biology (the “bounders”) with detection dogs trained on a specific scent, conservationists can monitor the density, distribution and overall health of certain species of concern.
To wit, Rogue’s dogs have worked all over the world helping conservation groups bolster their cases with hard data collected in the field.
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Lakeville residents Suzy Colpitt and her father, John, retrieve drinking water from a public water fountain near Salisbury Town Hall on Route 44.Nathan Miller
Fallen trees cover the lawn of the White Hart Inn, leaving the historic building obscured from the road. Patrick L. Sullivan
A tree is ripped from the ground next to the Scoville Library in downtown Salisbury during the July 4 storm. Patrick L. Sullivan
Branches fall on the historic Academy Building on the corner of Academy Street and Route 44. The Salisbury Association, which sponsored the town's Fourth of July events, now operates out of the building. Patrick L. Sullivan
Hail was seen in Falls Village during the July 4 storm. Madi Long
A large tree lies uprooted on the Scoville Library lawn in downtown Salisbury. Patrick L. Sullivan
A car in Falls Village is hit by strong winds and debris during Saturday's storm. Madi Long
A brand new Revolutionary War Memorial featuring 44 known Kent veterans of the fight for independence will be displayed during Friday night's parade and at the flag raising ceremony outside the Community House on the Fourth of July. Alec Linden 
Dogs that help endangered species