Working dogs deserve a Labor Day, too!

By Beth Leermakers

How many dogs does it take to change a lightbulb? 

Border Collie: Just one. Then I’ll replace any wiring that’s not up to code. 

Lab: Oh, me, me! Pleeease let me change the light bulb! Can I? Huh? Huh?

German Shepherd: I’ll change it as soon as I’ve led these people from the dark, checked to make sure I haven’t missed any and made just one more perimeter patrol. 

Non-working dog: Dogs do not change light bulbs. People change light bulbs. How long before I can expect my light again?

Some dogs need to work, while others are content lounging on the couch. Dogs — and even cats — use their sense of smell or hunting, retrieving or swimming skills to save lives, money or property. Check out these five unusual jobs that demonstrate the incredible instincts and abilities of dogs and cats.

1. Water Leak Detection K9s

Splash, a two-year-old dog adopted as a puppy from Arlington Animal Services, has an important job — finding underground water pipeline breaks. Trained to detect the chlorine found in treated tap water, Splash pinpoints hidden leaks that aren’t visible on the surface, saving water and the cost of unnecessary excavation. Leaks are particularly hard to find in the summer, when surface water quickly evaporates in the heat. Splash has accurately detected 16 leaks since he started working for Arlington Water Utilities in January. Described by his handler as a “people person,” Splash also boosts the morale of his human coworkers. 

2. Avalanche Rescue Dogs

My mother, an avid skier, once volunteered to be buried in a snow cave (with plenty of air and a two-way radio) as a training exercise for two avalanche rescue dogs. She waited half an hour for the Golden Retrievers to find her. When victims are trapped in snow and ice with no air pocket, they can only survive for a few minutes. Instead of randomly searching a vast area, ski patrols and search and rescue teams rely on avalanche dogs (known as avy dogs) to quickly lead them to a victim and start digging them out. Labrador and Golden Retrievers, Border Collies and Australian Shepherds often make excellent avy dogs because of their intelligence, agility and strong hunting abilities. These canine heroes are trained to locate buried individuals using their noses. 

3. Lifeguard Dogs

Some canine rescue missions take place on the water. In Italy and the United States, some lifeguards partner with specially trained water rescue dogs to help struggling swimmers. Trained to jump off a boat — or even a helicopter — lifeguard dogs can help preserve a human lifeguard’s energy by towing a boat, jet ski or even multiple victims at once.  

The Italian School of Canine Water Rescue has more than 350 certified rescue dogs who save 20 to 30 people per year, with the numbers increasing. The training program was founded by Ferrucio Pilenga after his own dog, a Newfoundland named Mas, rescued his young daughter when she was struggling to stay above water in a lake. Newfoundlands — with their thick double coats, webbed feet and immense size and strength that allows them to pull large loads behind them as they swim — make excellent lifeguard dogs, but the Italian School also trains other water-loving breeds such as labrador retrievers. The dogs wear personal floatation devices that are handmade in Italy and designed just for rescue dogs. 

The American Academy of Canine Water Rescue is the only organization in the U.S. providing legitimate training and certification for water rescue dogs. Bouy and Beacon, two Newfoundlands who trained with the AACWR, help keep swimmers safe at Scarborough Beach State Park in Maine. The dogs serve as “second responders.” When a struggling swimmer needs help, a human lifeguard (the first responder) springs into action. Then, a second human lifeguard and one of the dogs follow closely behind with a piece of floating rescue equipment. After the human lifeguards get the victim onto the device, the dog tugs the guards and victims back to the beach. 

4. Bat Dogs 

Working dogs may provide entertainment instead of saving lives or money. At some minor league baseball stadiums, the bat boy has four legs and a wagging tail. Labrador and Golden Retrievers and other dogs are trained to retrieve bats left on the field. Brooks, the Frisco Roughriders’ lab, didn’t cut it as a bat dog, but he entertained fans by running the bases — and served as the Chief Morale Officer in the front office. This past March, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (the Houston Astros AAA affiliate) introduced Muffin, a five-year-old Golden Retriever, who has served as the Space Cowboys Bat Dog for select home games. Muffin was the first of many “fan experience initiatives” introduced this season, according to Space Cowboys General Manager Tyler Stamm.

5. Barn Cats

While they’re not known for being team players, cats can also earn their keep. Barn cats are feral or semi-feral cats who aren’t suitable for adoption as house pets. Used to living outdoors, these working cats provide non-toxic pest control, managing rodents, snakes and other small pests in barns, warehouses, factories and plant nurseries. Adopters must provide food and fresh water, medical care, a safe place to confine the cat while she’s acclimating to her new home, and shelter after the acclimation period. 

Several DFW-area shelters and rescue groups have barn cats available for adoption:

• North Texas Barn Cats: northtexasbarncats.com, 817-224-2240

• SPCA of Texas: spca.org/resources/help-animals/cat-resources/working-cats

• Weatherford Shelter (weatherfordtx.gov/3304/Barn-Cat-Program) 

This Labor Day, let’s celebrate the hard-working dogs and cats who do so much more than chase balls and nap on the couch. These four-legged workers deserve our thanks for the remarkable ways they help, protect and enrich our lives. 

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