MEET THE ROGUES
Rascally rule breakers and mischief makers. a rapscallion to some are diamonds-in-the-ruff to the Rogue Detection Teams.
We have a passion for our wild spaces and work hard to conserve them, one non-invasive project at a time. Although we love dogs, it’s not a love of dogs that led us into this career path. Instead, it was wildlife conservation and the desire to assist our wild places and spaces for future generations of people, animals, and habitats. How do we do this? By collecting data on understudied or endangered wildlife.
It is our hope that our work highlights how every species has a special and unique role to play in our ecosystems.
Pips
Adopted from: United Animal Friends Rescue
Pips, is our pollinator sniffer extraordinaire, that came to us all the way from Arizona. He had been adopted & returned so many times because he was "too much." It was almost the end of the road for him when we got a message about this wild boy. We've never looked back. This adorable gremlin, is so obsessed with fetch, if you give him a carrot treat he'll toss it back out to have you throw it. He’s 13 yrs young, and from tiny ermine scats in BC's rainy Haida Gwaii to badger, no odor eludes this stubby boy!
Photo Credit: Cook
Filson
Adopted from: Loving owner
Filson, originally Oso (but we already had a little bear), was named for the Seattle woolen company (yes, we’re obsessed with wool!). He’s arguably our cutest Rogue Dog (but this is in close contest with Beckett, opinions vary). Filson may look like a bug-eyed Disney character, but don’t let his adorableness fool you! This intrepid hard-working bad*** backpacked through Yosemite National Park sleuthing for one of N. America's most rare mammals, the Sierra Nevada red fox. Filson reminds us that life is meant to enjoy one simple pleasure at a time. Whether it's tossing pinecones at our feet, imploring us to play, or leaping into water with abandon when we take him swimming (or the times he gnaws on our hands to say hello or jumps on us as if we're his personal bouncing board) we're happy to comply. Filson's work ethic is hard to beat, and we can count on him to sniff out every clue to any conservation project, “bee” this bumblebee nest detection to caterpillar larvae, wolves, or mountain lion.
Photo Credit: Heimbuch
Winnie
Adopted from: Prison Pet Partnership
Code name, Xena Warrior Princess. This #shero came to us from Prison Pet Partnership, an organization with a similar mission to ours. To find dogs who need a second lease at life and give them a purpose again, working alongside and rehabilitating people. She used to be afraid of leaves, now she's our fearless EcoWarrior! She's a spirited little searcher with a TON of energy. Now no longer afraid of leaves, Winnie will stick her nose in piles of them to help locate species as diverse as cryptic rubber boa, wolverines, cached mountain lion samples, and even avian and bat mortalities at wind facilities. With one quirky ear, she’s playful, sweet, and beloved by all.
Photo Credit: Heimbuch
Jack
Adopted from: Humane Society of Skagit Valley
Jack may just be the most intelligent dog to ever explore the earth. With his clever demeanor, he quickly figures out how to do things his own way. It always seems like he is right on the edge of speaking English, as he understands and responds to everything around him. His ability knows no limits, and he has sniffed out some of the toughest to reach targets, including live bats and floating orca poop! In the field, his big grin and erratic tail wag are signs of a fruitful day. When it’s time to kick back, there’s nothing like a long swim and enjoying a well deserved snack or a nap.
Photo Credit: ForkTailed Media
Beckett
Adopted from: Loving owner
Beckett doesn’t look like your typical working dog & that's because he isn't! He may look like a teddy bear, but he wants to be respected. He doesn't get as much air time as a few of our other detection dogs because Beckett's skills are more specialized. With his small stature and fluffy coat, he requires a very specific project to shine. Despite his small in stature, his love for fetch is strong & his size is what helps us on our pollinator projects! Beckett detects caterpillar scat (frass) the size of pepper flakes. His light-feet help our teams to maneuver delicately in search of clues about these tiny endangered species. Best known for his sweetheart demeanor & delicate sniffing powers.
Photo Credit: Cook
Ranger
Adopted from: local farm litter
It’s rare that a person and their pet dog are both made for this work. The stars aligned to bring in this unique addition to the pack, since Ranger joined with his bounder, Grace. When some working dogs at a local dairy farm had an incidental litter, Grace happily took the young pup in. With a mix of cattle dog and border collie, Ranger is 100% cute, fluffy, and wicked smart. Too smart for his own good. Ranger would outsmart Grace at every turn, learning to break out of crates and destroyed many of her things. He was always one step ahead. A wily rascal of a dog. Even with all of that, Grace loves him more than anything in this world, and did her best to find outlets for his endless energetic spirit. Ranger is a happy-go-lucky dog with a heart of gold. He never shies away from challenging conditions. He will happily navigate through the roughest terrain, fluffy tail wagging the whole way, to find that important data. Ranger is a special one, while he absolutely loves his frisbees and sticks, it’s not only the toy that keeps him sniffing for data. He enjoys solving the puzzle for his toy more than just a simple game of fetch. Turns out, finding elusive species scat out in the woods is the ultimate puzzle to solve. And when he finds it, he loves being told he’s done a good job! The praise from his bounder may just be his favorite part of the game.
Photo Credit: Sanderson
Maple
Adopted from: Vancouver Animal Shelter, BC
“A girl can do what she wants to do, and that's what I'm gonna do. An' I don't give a damn 'bout my bad reputation. Oh no, not me” - Joan Jett and the Badhearts
If there ever was a theme song for Maple, “Bad Reputation” would be the epitome of it. This girl loves to have fun, and she’s going to have it on her terms. Originally named Stella from the shelter she came from, we renamed her Maple because she hails from Canada! Maple is extremely playful and has a ton of energy. She is proving to be one of the best teachers (insert Van Halen “Hot for Teacher” here) we have ever had in our program.
Photo Credit: Hartman
Heath Smith
Co-Founder, Program Director, Head Instructor
Adopted by: Whisper, Pips, and Beckett
It is a commonly used idiom, “who rescued who” when discussing dogs and their people, but it is most true when looking at the relationship between Heath and his first canine partner, Gator. The team was paired up when Heath first started doing detection dog work in 2001, and though Heath was a self-proclaimed cat person, Gator managed to steal his heart and pull him down a path of no return. Heath has trod in the world of conservation detection dogs ever since, walking side-by-side with many incredible rescue pups across innumerable landscapes. The more Heath learned from these sage animals, the more he wanted to share this newfound wisdom with others.
Photo Credit: Heimbuch
Jennifer Hartman
Co-Founder, Director of Operations and Communications
Adopted by: Filson and Willow
Jennifer has been in the world of dog detection work for 13+ years. She has traveled to Asia and Africa for wildlife conservation studies. Like most Rogues, Jennifer prefers to stay out of the spotlight and help from behind the scenes. She has been the backbone of other detection dog programs and did not shrink from the responsibility of building Rogues from scratch. A badass in the field and in the office, Jennifer coordinates all of Rogue’s projects when she’s not off saving the world with her trifecta of Max, Scooby, and Filson.
Photo Credit: Heimbuch
Justin Broderick
Bounder, Field Researcher, Instructor
Adopted by: Winnie and Jekyll
We aren’t sure if Justin adopted Winnie or if Winnie adopted Justin but there is no doubt they are soul mates. Calm under pressure, observant, quick-witted, and always willing to listen, Justin has become a master in the art of dog communication. This Rogue can be tough to pin down as Justin is more often (and more comfortable) in the field roaming the wilderness with Winnie than in the office. If you are lucky enough to catch him hosting a class don’t waste this rare opportunity to catch his words of wisdom.
When you think of a rugged mountain man, you think of Justin. He has been in the wildlife field for over a decade, and most of that time has been as a dog handler for wildlife conservation. Calm under pressure, observant and curious, Justin makes an excellent handler and instructor in the art of dog handling. He is always willing to lend an ear and offer a solution.
Photo Credit: Ruffwear
Collette Yee
Bounder, Instructor, Special Operations
Adopted by: Jack and Dio
Having worked on both land and sea with her canine partners, Collette is determined to learn new ways to utilize detection dog teams. Her dedication and passion for wildlife and collaboration with other organizations has allowed her to dive into difficult studies. She is a creative solution seeker and a source of positivity in tough situations. By her side are Jack and Dio, two curious and rambunctious blue heelers.
Photo Credit: ForkTailed Media
Dan Dodge
Director of Facilities
A nature photographer, adventurer, avid traveler and outdoorsman. Dan has clocked more than 8000 miles of wilderness backpacking including what is known as the “Triple Crown” of hiking: The Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails. When not keeping things ship-shape at Rogue HQ he can usually be found wandering somewhere with a backpack and a camera. His professional background includes some three decades of construction and building maintenance, including remote Alaskan projects as far north as 250 miles above the Arctic Circle. He’s experienced the constant daylight of Arctic summer and knows what minus 80 fahrenheit feels like. Dan is delighted to put his knowledge, experience, and creativity to good use in support of all the Rogues, both two and four footed.
Photo Credit: Hartman
Grace Sanderson
Bounder, Field Researcher
Adopted by: Ranger
While studying wildlife conservation and management at Humboldt State University, Grace knew she wanted to work with threatened and endangered species, specifically carnivores. But as fate would have it, she ended up working as a biologist in Northern California conducting northern spotted owl and other wildlife surveys. She fell in love with birds of prey in the process. Grace started to bring her dog Ranger along for the surveys, and the rest is history. She loved being out in the field every day with Ranger, just the two of them in the woods. Together, they conducted wildlife surveys for five years before going Rogue.
Photo Credit: Ruffwear
Lauryn Andrew
Bounder, Data Daddy
Adopted by: Indy
Some choose to surround themselves with like minded people, however, Lauryn has always preferred canine company. Growing up in Northern California she participated in 4-H and raised Guide Dogs for the Blind for many years. While at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Lauryn incorporated her love for the outdoors and wildlife conservation into her future career path by interning with UCSC’s Puma Project. She graduated in 2023 with her bachelor’s in Environmental Studies and Biology and immediately headed to Washington to go Rogue. Beginning as a summer intern, Lauryn learned directly from the best of the best, both canine and human, and ultimately formed a unique bond with Rogue Indy.
Photo Credit: Smith
Toni Crites
Business Manager
Life takes us in some unexpected directions when we least expect it. Toni was going through a particularly bad stretch when friends invited her to come stay with them in Washington State. They had started working with researchers to use of dogs in conservation research for right whales, bobcats, bears, and other species. That was in 2004, and PackLeader Detection Dogs was just getting started. With hard work, they provided trained dogs and services to researchers around the globe. That is where Toni met Heath Smith– when both were at the farm working with dogs, training to learn this emerging methodology. Toni has a background in finance, human resources, and corporate legal administration, having worked for many years in the tech industry in the Beaverton, OR area. For the past 10 years, she has been the Operations Manager of the College of Science, Technology, Mathematics, and Health Sciences at Eastern Oregon University. After PackLeader’s owners retired, Heath and Jennifer asked if Toni would help them with Rogues! Toni has been a dog person her whole life – the child that brought home every stray they found to raising and training Australian Cattle Dogs for over 20 years. Toni currently has four Australian Kelpies and loves training her dogs to do what they were bred to do – herd livestock. Toni’s son and his family live in La Grande as well, and she enjoys taking her older grandson on adventure days and horseback riding. His brother will join us as soon as he’s a little older.
Whisper
Adopted from: Soft Paws Rescue/Cascade Canine Rescue East & West
She's shy, timid, and at times fearful, but we hope to show her through lots of love, routine, copious games of fetch, and bonding that she's home now.
Photo Credit: Cook
Willow
Adopted from: Loving owner
Named for a Wil-O-Wisp, our littlest forest sprite who will help guide lost wanderers home. When we adopted Willow, she was very timid and had her tail tucked for the first couple of days. As an owner release, it must have been shocking to join a pack of fetch obsessed working dogs. She may be the tiniest heeler of the crew, but she is full of spunk and personality. Although Willow loves frisbee and tug, she’s not as obsessed as her older colleagues and doesn’t necessarily want to work for it. That’s still ok with us, because she has stolen our hearts and still loves to come along for the adventure.
Photo Credit: Hartman
Jekyll
Adopted from: Pacific Northwest Cattle Dog Rescue
Joining the Rogue in 2022, Jekyll is one of the newest members of our pack. While there is still so much to learn, he has already worked on big carnivore projects around Oregon with his favorite bounder JB. He is a wily young kiddo with a drive that makes him am excellent detection dog.
Photo Credit: Andrew
Dio
Adopted from: Humboldt County Animal Shelter
Like a ship without a storm, Dio was sitting at a shelter, just waiting to find his true purpose. A rainbow in the dark, if you will, a shelter volunteer saw the magic in his eyes, leading him to become a Rogue Dog. Named after rockstar, Ronnie James Dio (Black Sabbath anyone?), he has had his fair share of time in the limelight for his work sniffing for orca. At 10 years old, he may be a bit of a rough character at first, but he has the uncanny talent to feel like a long-lost friend as soon as you meet him. Here’s to the Ronnie’s old and new and to finding that magic that set us free!
Photo Credit: Yee
Violet
Adopted from: Rocket Dog Rescue
Hailing from the bustling San Francisco Bay Area, her first few days at the serene Rogue HQ were a huge change for her. On arrival, Violet was quiet, timid, and easily scared by the simplest of things in this new world. Having been labeled un-adoptable before being transferred to rescue, it took some time, encouragement, lots of belly rubs, and of course seemingly endless games of fetch for her to open up and begin to trust her new human co-workers. Once she came out of her shell, Violet showed to be quite possibly the silliest, sweetest pup you’ll have the opportunity to play with. She’s smart as a whip and might be quicker than one too! She has a go-getter attitude when it comes time to go find it. Although she’s sweeter than pie, she’s also a spunky lass with endless energy when her favorite ball comes out. She’s a rockstar in the making, with a world of new opportunities in the detection dog field in front of her.
Photo Credit: Sanderson
Siska
Adopted from: Search Dog Foundation
One in a million, Sika was born to be Conservation K9. As a shy girl, missing person searches were not in her cards. We don't encounter many people in the forests & mountains where we work so Siska's shyness is just fine. But what else makes Siska an ideal Detection Dog? Siska LOVES, needs, and adores: fetch! She has zero prey drive, a necessary trait for the Dog Team Methodology! She wants to be a “pawtner," has natural recall, and an off-leash work style that is a dream to work alongside. She picks up new odors instantaneously. Her talent & adaptability mean we can send her on a diversity of projects, whether for fatalities at wind facility sites (her 1st project) or a multi-predator research project in the backcountry. She is athletic and strong, trusting and accepting of her bounder. Oh, and did we mention how kind and affectionate she is? She is a dream! ️
Photo Credit: Hadley
Indy
Adopted from: Pacific Northwest Cattle Dog Rescue
Indy loves to play ball so much, he drools about it. He is intense and will do anything for the ball. That's what makes him such an excellent conservation dog. His whole body quivers in anticipation. The Indys of this world are one in a thousand...
We adopted Indy two years ago now, and although we know he was meant for this field, he hasn't found his special person yet... what we call a Bounder.
Yes, he will work because he has a big heart for it, but what we truly hope for when we adopt new conservation dogs for this field is that one day, we will also be able to match them with their forever person.
Indy is one special kiddo: he has spice, opinions, and he's not afraid to vocalize them. He is not your typical, "pet me" dog, and although he really (like really) wants to find his person, it's going to be someone who respects him, who meets him in the place he is, and not try to make of him something he isn't. That's why we always say that finding persons suitable to see the magic inside these high drive dogs-THAT'S the real challenge for this field.
Photo Credit: Folks
rogue dogs of the past
Meet our pack of retired detection dogs. We are forever grateful for your work!
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