“We train scent detection dogs for conservation, and deploy them to find what humans cannot”
Background
Indago was formed in 2023 by Naiomi and Jay, two environmental professionals with a passion for applied conservation and restoration. We were first inspired after the 2019-2020 bushfires to train our dogs to detect koalas, and have found that working as a team with our dogs in scent detection work to be deeply fulfilling.
Our strengths lie in our holistic experience in ecology, environmental planning, project management and environmental science. We combine best-practice detection dog training with excellence in empirical and analytical methods for the purpose of conserving Australia’s unique flora and fauna.
Naiomi Finlayson
Director
Naiomi is an environmental manager, project manager and the primary conservation dog handler and trainer at Indago. She has extensive career experience in both private and public sectors, with a focus on threatened species conservation and capital infrastructure projects.
Naiomi is excited about the application of detection dogs in conservation and restoration. She is highly motivated to continue achieving positive social and environmental outcomes through her work.
Jay Van Den Broek
Lead Ecologist
Jay is an ecologist with several years of experience working across industry, government and academia. His research interests lie in aquatic food webs, multivariate drivers of ecological condition and the post-colonial impacts of disturbance on Australian ecosystems.
Jay is fascinated by bioindicators, animal behaviour, botany, and using multiple lines of evidence to inform the management of threatened species and their supporting environments.
Henry
Conservation Dog
Henry is a 5 year old Border Collie whose training is currently focused on detecting Koalas, feral cats and Chinese Violet. In the field, he has unshakeable focus when searching for a scent! He’s ball-obsessed, needs a job, loves agility training and visits to the beach.
Henry is a sweet and kind dog that tries to cover for Daisy’s youthful naughtiness. He loves working as a team with his handler, and has a knack for understanding full sentences.
Daisy
Conservation Dog
Daisy is a 3 year old working Cocker Spaniel. She is ball-obsessed – and always has her nose to the ground. Her two speeds are zooming and snoozing.
Daisy is trained to detect Koala, feral predator and Chinese Violet
Tulip
Conservation Dog
Tulip is a 3 year old working Cocker Spaniel and Daisy’s sister. She is also ball-obsessed.
Tulip is a leak detection dog and is also learning to detect Koala.
Reuben
Conservation Dog in training
Reuben is a 1 year old Springer spaniel and detection dog in training. He is a goofy puppy who loves nothing more than sniffing and playing.
Reuben is learning to detect Koala and a critically endangered plant species. He will be field ready shortly but in the meantime, it’s practice, repetition, play and treats!
