After more than 30 years on the job, Corporal Susan Swem was contemplating retirement from the Missouri Department of Conservation – and then came the chance to join the state’s newly formed Canine Protection Unit. Since then, she and K9 Astro have assisted on multiple investigations, done significant public outreach, and saved countless staff-hours tracking, recovering evidence, and protecting the wildlife of Southwest Missouri.
Our Sponsors:
Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH
International Wildlife Crimestoppers
Here’s what we discuss:
- Joined the newly formed Canine Protection Unit two years ago
- Missouri program is adding four more handlers
- K9 program has been beneficial in multiple ways
- Job changes with the seasons
- Changing areas or specialties can create a completely new challenge
- Considered retirement before joining the K9 unit
- Being a K9 handler requires constant training
- Pros and cons of being a female Conservation Agent
- More women are becoming game wardens
- Crappie fishing techniques
- What is a paddlefish?
- Eggs are similar to caviar
- An illegal egg sales case
- Training involves a lot of running!
- Tracking with a K9 saves considerable time
- Different breeds have different advantages
- Technology is making fishing and hunting easier. Is it sustainable?
- Missouri geography and weather
- The job is like chocolate cake; a K9 is the frosting
Credits
Hosts: Wayne Saunders and John Nores
Producer: Jay Ammann
Art & Design: Ashley Hannett
Research / Content Coordinator: Stacey DesRoches
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