SNIFFING OUT CRIME

MEET THE WOMAN TRAINING DOGS TO KEEP AUSTRALIA SAFE

- Courtney Greatrex

Protecting the national security of Australia and investigating crimes is a big job. But for the dogs helping the Australian Federal Police keep our country safe, it’s all in a day’s work. Utilising dogs, mostly labradors, in the National Canine Program has resulted in remarkable discoveries. From January 2021 to November 2022, the dogs located 691 items after conducting 160 searches, including $124,000 located in a carry-on handbag in Brisbane airport, $55,000 cash in a silver soft-sided case, as well as drugs in a bedroom and $40,000 hidden in a cavity in a set of bedroom drawers at a residence.

Behind the program is a group of dedicated individuals training the dogs to sniff out crime. “They’re like my children,” says trainer Emily O’Donohue. “I love learning about animal behaviour, and about how dogs learn and how we can encourage that.”

Emily, 42, has loved animals for as long as she can remember. Growing up with dogs as a child, she watched her pet springer spaniels sniff around the ground attempting to catch a scent. Despite starting her career in communications for the Army, Emily dreamt of working with dogs.