In the latest episode of Coffee & Conservation, Mike sits down with Rita Santas, conservation K9 handler and founder-owner of Dogs for Nature in Portugal, to talk about her journey into working dogs for conservation, the realities of deploying K9 teams in the field, and the changes needed to strengthen conservation and wildlife protection globally.

 

Rita recently joined Global Conservation Force’s K9 Handler & Operational K9 Training Course in the Netherlands, working alongside Mike and the GCF partnership team at Scent Imprint for Dogs. Her participation reflects the growing international collaboration needed to professionalize conservation K9 programs and build operational capacity across borders.

 

Rita shares how her path into conservation K9 work began, combining her passion for dogs with a deep commitment to conservation. This journey ultimately led her to found Dogs for Nature, a program dedicated to training and deploying dogs for conservation research, detection, and environmental monitoring.

 

In the conversation, Rita breaks down what conservation K9 work really involves—from selecting and training dogs, to field deployments, to working with conservation organizations, researchers, and protected area teams. She offers insight into how working dogs can support biodiversity surveys, anti-poaching efforts, and ecological research, while also highlighting the responsibilities and ethical considerations of operating dogs in sensitive environments.

 

 

Training with GCF and Scent Imprint for Dogs

 

During her time in the Netherlands, Rita joined GCF’s K9 Handler & Operational K9 Training Course, working directly with Mike and the GCF partnership team at Scent Imprint for Dogs. The course focuses on operational readiness, handler development, scent detection methodologies, deployment protocols, and building sustainable conservation K9 programs.

 

This collaboration underscores GCF’s mission to strengthen conservation capacity by training handlers, supporting field teams, and building global networks of professionals dedicated to wildlife protection.

 

Challenges in Conservation K9 Work

 

Mike and Rita also dive into the challenges facing conservation K9 programs today. From funding constraints and logistical barriers to misconceptions about working dogs and the need for standardized training and operational protocols, the conversation highlights the realities faced by K9 handlers and conservation practitioners alike.

 

They discuss the importance of:

  • Professionalizing conservation K9 training and certification

  • Supporting handlers with ongoing mentorship and resources

  • Ensuring dog welfare and ethical deployment standards

  • Integrating K9 teams into broader conservation and enforcement strategies

The Bigger Picture: Conservation Beyond K9s

 

Beyond dogs, the episode explores broader conservation challenges—capacity gaps, field realities, and the need for stronger collaboration between NGOs, governments, researchers, and local communities. Rita and Mike share candid reflections on what needs to change to make conservation more effective and sustainable, and how training, partnerships, and long-term support can drive real impact.

 

Listen to the Episode

 

Tune in to Coffee & Conservation to hear Rita’s full story, practical insights from the field, and an honest conversation about the future of conservation K9s and wildlife protection.

 

https://coffee-and-conservation.captivate.fm/episode/rita-santos-noses-for-nature-conservation-dogs/

 

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