Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
Archie’s owner and handler is Lauren Piket, one of our biosecurity officers.
She trained Archie herself for over two years, outside of her usual work hours. He passed his full certification test in November 2023 and will be sitting his first-year recertification in November, when it’s hoped he’ll also become qualified to hunt for great willowherb.
Great willowherb is an invasive flowering weed that prefers wet or damp environments such as wetlands. It’s been found at several locations in Canterbury, and with Archie’s help, Lauren is hoping to target areas outside of the usual hotspots.
After November, Archie will need to sit a test every three years to remain certified in the Conservation Dogs Programme.
Lauren says Archie not only needs to show he can find the target species but that he can ignore distractions such as birds, stock and people.
“The tests also check that he can come on command, do emergency stops – things like that. There’s a whole range of skills the dogs are assessed for.”
