Detector Dog Soya
and Dog Handler Samantha Tomlinson

Detector Dog Soya, Fresno County

All About Soya

BREED: Labrador Retriever Mix

BIRTHDATE: Approx. November 2012

WEIGHT: 56 lbs

HANDLER: Samantha Tomlinson

FAVORITE TOYS: Squeaky squirrels, rabbits, and skunks!

Soya is a rescue dog from Etowah Valley Humane Society in Cartersville, GA. She was acquired in March of 2015 at the estimated age of two years old by trainers at the USDA’s National Detector Dog Training Center in Newnan, Georgia. In July of 2015, Soya partnered with County of Fresno K9 Handler Samantha Tomlinson. Together, they do their part protecting California’s agricultural industry by conducting inspections to find exotic pests at terminal/ parcel facilities.

Soya enjoys working, especially teaching school children about agriculture and why her job is important. Soya is a very smart, friendly, and easy-going girl who knows her job and does it very well! When Soya is not working, she enjoys going for walks, and keeping a lookout for pesky squirrels.


ABC30 Action News

Meet the Dog Who's Saving the World's Fruits and Vegetables

By Brandon Johansen

"This dog's job is to sniff out anything that could damage the world's fruits and vegetables!" (2:35)


CDFA TV

Dogs Keep California Agriculture Safe

Meet Soya, an agriculture detector K-9, and her handler, Samantha Tomlinson, who works for the Fresno County Ag Commissioner's office. Tomlinson and Soya work as the first line of defense to protect California's agriculture industry from potential pests and diseases that can be shipped in packages. Charmayne Hefley reports. Story by Charmayne Hefley and Patrick Cavanaugh. (2:55)


Detector Dog Soya
Detector Dog Soya

Agriculture Detector K9

Agriculture is the economic engine that drives the Central Valley. In this episode of Valley’s Gold, host Ryan Jacobsen learns about Agriculture Detector K9 Inspectors, including Fresno County's Dog Team, Soya and her handler Samantha Tomlinson.

Segment begins at minute 6:50 into the episode: https://valleypbs.org/valleysgold/crop-specialists/

CDFA TV