After decades of searching for people lost in the wilderness, Don Schwass has found fame in recent years for his finding expertise.
However, his status as a go-to tracker isn't for locating 'man', but for finding 'man's best friend'. It's the Nelson, Richmond fish & chippie owner's skills in hunting down wayward hounds that has his phone ringing off the hook.
Following Schwass' advice has seen roaming dogs reunited with their owners even after weeks of wandering. It's not only within in Aotearoa that his skills are put to the test, either. Last month, Schwass helped a Queensland family successfully find their dog Turbo, a full five weeks after he went missing.
Schwass speaks to Kathryn about how he became the 'go-to dog guy' and why his curious tip for locating lost dogs is: don't try to find it.
Dog-tracker Don Schwass with his own dog Piper. Photo: Supplied
