K9 Conservationists

Join Kayla Fratt, co-founder of K9Conservationists, as she chats with Reetta Kangaslampi, a PhD researcher from the University of Eastern Finland and Dr. Natasha Underwood, an ecologist, environmental consultant, and specialist conservation detection dog handler about their journeys raising cocker and springer spaniels for detection. Reetta and Natasha discuss how they went about choosing their perfect spaniel, early training, and some of the classic spaniel hurdles they run into. Reetta Kangaslampi
Instagram: K9barkbeetles https://www.instagram.com/k9sbarkbeetles?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Dr. Natasha Underwood
Instagram: NHU Ecology and detection dogs
https://www.instagram.com/nhu_ecology_and_detection_dogs/

Host: Kayla Fratt
Editor: Sara Fangton 
Guest logistics: Brooke Schoeder 
Intern: Grace Koski
Website: Meg du Bray
Mentoring group: Madison Davis

If you haven't heard part one- we highly recommend going back and listening to that fist! Then head right back here and listen to this second part of our two part interview with Emma Gaalaas Mullaney, PhD. Learn more about her roll as the director of detection and search and rescue at the Penn Vet Working Dog Center and about the extraordinary dog teams she works with today.

Host: Kayla Fratt
Editor: Sara Fangton 
Guest logistics: Brooke Schoeder 
Intern: Grace Koski
Website: Meg du Bray
Mentoring group: Madison Davis

In this episode of K9Conservationists, Kayla Fratt is joined by Emma Gaalaas Mullaney as they discuss her heterodox (unconventional) approach to selecting and raising detection dogs. In this episode, Emma discusses her first detection dog, Toby, and how his unorthodox breed, personality, and drive lead Emma to her deep understanding and empathy for not only Toby, but for the dogs she works with today.
This is a two part episode, so join us for the next one to learn more about her roll at Penn Vet and to learn more about the dog teams she works with today.
Host: Kayla Fratt
Editor: Sara Fangton 
Guest logistics: Brooke Schoeder 
Intern: Grace Koski
Website: Meg du Bray
Mentoring group: Madison Davis

Check in with all THREE co-founders of K9 Conservationists as they go over all the highs and lows of 2025. Kayla, Rachel, and Heather discuss their organizational roles, major project wins, team expansion, handler and dog highlights, and lessons learned from fieldwork across Texas, Wyoming, Maine, Alaska, and beyond. If you want to know everything K9C has been up to in 2025- this is the episode for you!

Host: Kayla Fratt
Editor: Sara Fangton 
Guest logistics: Brooke Schoeder 
Interns: Evelyn Combs and Grace Koski
Website: Meg du Bray
Mentoring group: Madison Davis

Ever wonder how a seasoned handler selects their new co-woffer? Kayla Fratt, co-founder of K9Conservationists, walks through her process of how she selected her newest recruit Skipper! Kayla talks about how she went about finding potential candidates, how she screened over 70 dogs, and how she finally landed on Skipper. If you're looking to find your next detection dog and want to know all the nitty-gritty on how that happens- this is the episode for you!

Massive shout out to Thrifted Kittens Animal Rescue for their help and taking such amazing care of Skipper (then Pretzel)
https://thriftedkittens.org/

Want to follow along on Skippers training journey? Consider joining the Pateron! We have monthly training calls where Kayla will answer your questions and you can get valuable insight from other handlers in the field.
https://www.patreon.com/k9conservationists

Host: Kayla Fratt
Editor: Sara Fangton 
Guest logistics: Brooke Schoeder 
Interns: Evelyn Combs and Grace Koski
Website: Meg du Bray
Mentoring group: Madison Davis