ANIMALS WITH JOBS

An informative pick spotlighting animals as detectives, actors, medical and military helpers, and more.

Zeke, a trained seizure alert and response dog for a competitive teen horse rider; Pearl, a German shepherd trained in detecting explosives and other combat security needs; and police dog Tabasco, who has uncovered large amounts of illegal drugs, are just a few of the animals profiled in this volume. Not limited to canines, the book also features capuchin monkeys aiding those who have mobility issues like spinal cord injuries, patrol horses used by mounted police units, drug-detecting pigs, and bomb-sniffing bees. This straightforward title is ideal for student projects or general classroom usage since animals are a source of great interest for many young people. Divided into four chapters—“Animals in the Military,” “Animal Detectives,” “Animals in Service,” and “Animal Actors”—this book outlines the myriad ways animals of all sorts have been a vital part of society, performing tasks that enrich and even save the lives of humans. Sidebar features include quotes from people who train, work with, or benefit from working animals and profiles of animals performing heroic tasks, including carrier pigeons during both world wars and dogs trained to sniff out cancer. Full-color photographs are included every few pages to demonstrate some of the many functions animals can perform.

Data-packed; an accessible choice for struggling readers interested in animals.