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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

Meet the O.G. of CDCI, Ernie!

Ernie is a steadfast search dog in the field, but if we are going to be really honest, he's also a bit of a derp. Every morning and night, he can be seen carrying his empty food bowl around and doing “the wiggle dance” before snuggling up to his Keeper, Laura. Ernie earned his NW2 title in 2025, taking first place out of 38 dogs.

Ernie's Stats

Fun facts

  • ​Nicknames: Ernie Nernie, Noodle, Ernaldo

  • 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 Keeper, Laura

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Photo by Anne Readel

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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 and always looking for a sunbeam to bask in. Betty is a detail-oriented gal who leaves no leaf unturned when it comes to locating native bumble bee nests and turtles. Betty White earned her NW1 title in 2024.

Betty White's Stats

Fun facts

  • ​Nicknames: Betty Bang, Tinker, Betty Spaghetti

  • Favorite Food: Squeeze cheese and blueberries

  • Favorite Toy: Cardboard tubes and her lotus ball

  • Favorite Sleeping Position: Curled up in a ball

  • Favorite Color: Ruby red

  • Best Friend: Whoever has the warmest couch spot
     

Photo by Anne Readel

SKYE

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

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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

LILY

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. Lily and her human, Katie, earned their NW3-Elite title from the NACSW in 2025 and are now competing at the Elite level.

Lily's Stats

  • Age: 5 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

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Our Retired Finders

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 proved everyone wrong! 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). While she is retired from conservation work, she still enjoys sniffing for fun in K9 Nose Work classes!

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 is retired from conservation work but still enjoys sniffing for fun in K9 Nose Work classes!

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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Photos courtesy of Anne Readel, Lindsay Hayward, Sarah Eith, Katie Homan, Dana Pelzer

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