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Photograph by Mark Sengelmann/Everglades National Park/NPS
Ranger Lori Oberhofer and Python Pete (pictured) work together to track down and remove pythons from Everglades National Park in Florida. These pythons came to South Florida as pets and when people no longer want or cannot care for them, they are often released into the Everglades. -
Photograph by Donna Shaver/Padre Island National Seashore/NPS
Donna Shaver, Ph.D., Chief of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery at Padre Island National Seashore in Texas, has been working to save the endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle for 28 years. With the help of Ridley Ranger (pictured), a Cairn terrier who has been trained to sniff out sea turtle nests, 92 baby sea turtles have been released. Shaver hopes that by 2020, the Kemp's ridley sea turtle can be downgraded from endangered to threatened can be removed from the endangered species list altogether. -
Photograph by Christian Escobar Mora/AP
Due to their high intelligence, Labrador retrievers are often used as guide dogs for the blind, for search-and-rescue teams, or in narcotics detection with law enforcement, like this yellow Lab which helped Colombia's police seize three tons of drugs. -
Photograph by Richard Olsenius
Herding breeds, like this Akbash dog from Montana, help humans in many ways. Herding breeds are intelligent and lively, making great family pets. Some herding breeds drive animals by barking, circling, and nipping at the heels. Others take a quiet approach and simply confront the animals with a silent stare. Herding dogs are excellent guards, used in the military and law enforcement, or for personal protection. -
Photograph by GK Hart/Vikki Hart/Getty Images
Several breeds have been trained as guide dogs, including Doberman pinschers and German shepherds, but Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers are the most widely used for the job. Learn more about Guide Dogs for the Blind.
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Photograph by William Albert Allard
In addition to being great assistance dogs, retrievers are also good hunting buddies. Retrievers, like this one helping his owner hunt for ducks, can remember the location of birds after they’ve been shot. At command, they retrieve the animal and bring it back to its owner. -
Photograph by Dean Bradley, My Shot
During the gold rushes in Alaska and Canada at the turn of the 20th century, sled dogs were used for freight hauling and mail delivery. Sled dogs are still used for transportation and working purposes in some Arctic and subarctic areas, but have largely been replaced by snowmobiles. Most dog teams today participate in races, like the Iditarod, rather than work.
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