Global Conservation Force (GCF) CEO and Founder, Mike Veale, recently presented at the Thames Valley Police Training Center, engaging an international audience of working dog trainers, handlers, police K9 officers, and program leaders from England, Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, and the United States.

Mike’s presentation focused on the critical role of K9 teams in wildlife protection, conservation, and counter wildlife trafficking operations. Drawing from GCF’s global experience, he highlighted the importance of parallel initiatives that complement dog handling, including targeted operational strategies, multi-tiered training programs for both dogs and handlers, and best practices for achieving total operational readiness.

A key focus of the session was GCF’s train-the-trainer programs, which empower instructors and handlers to build capable, adaptable K9 teams. Mike shared examples from GCF’s work with conservation K9s in reserves, ports, and field operations around the world, demonstrating how comprehensive preparation and cross-disciplinary collaboration amplify the impact of K9 teams in high-stakes environments.

The presentation sparked robust discussion and collaboration, with attendees exchanging ideas and forming partnerships to strengthen working dog programs across countries and disciplines. GCF is proud to support these efforts, helping ensure that handlers and their K9 partners are fully equipped to protect wildlife, counter trafficking, and operate at the highest level of readiness.

Through initiatives like these, GCF continues to advance the capabilities, training, and global reach of conservation and law enforcement K9 teams, reinforcing our mission to safeguard endangered species and combat wildlife crime worldwide.