Meet Piper

Breed: Nelson

Barking from: Tracks Lost Dogs All Over New Zealand

Job Title: Labrador/Springer Spaniel

What's up dog?

Piper is the only trained tracking dog in New Zealand that is specifically trained to locate a lost dog anywhere in New Zealand. Piper had her first find at 6 months old… which by itself is amazing… as police dogs and search and rescue dogs are only just starting the training pathway at this age. Piper travels anywhere all of New Zealand with her handler when needed by owners of lost dogs… at a moment’s notice.

Piper has been involved in and helped solve some high-profile cases… from 7 days through to 8 weeks plus missing. Piper has helped reunite missing dogs and their families no matter the weather or the outcome… both Piper and her handler work hard at reuniting lost dogs with their families. Piper has been in newspapers all over New Zealand and also on TV and other media platforms with some of the cases.

Piper and her handler do this at no cost to the public for their services.

2024 NZ Top Dog with a Job Award

Judging and criteria

This award will be judged on:

Purpose

This award celebrates a top dog that makes a positive difference in our society for the work they do to improve human (or animal!) lives on a day-to-day basis. 

Reach

Is the dog dedicated to assisting one human, or an entire team or office? 

Impact

How big an impact does this dog have in their workplace? Explain how much your canine friend has impacted the office culture, or improved mental health at work or of those around them. Give examples of how they have made an impact.