Ross Stephenson — Founder & Lead Trainer
Ross leads the detection work, training standards, dog welfare, and field delivery at Eco Dog Solutions CIC. He has 21 years’ experience training and working detection dogs in real operational environments.
Ross spent 10 years in the British Army’s Royal Army Veterinary Corps, deploying on three tours and working as a handler and trainer for explosive detection dogs. That foundation shaped how Eco Dog operates: calm handling, repeatable training protocols, clear boundaries, and evidence-led decision-making.
In previous UK utility work, Ross helped develop dog-led detection workflows designed to reduce “check everything” inspections. The dog screens large areas quickly, evidence is captured consistently, and follow-up checks focus only where the indicators justify it—reducing disruption and speeding up the pathway to action.
Ross previously founded and led a UK detection dog services company and later transferred ownership to his business partner so he could focus fully on Eco Dog Solutions CIC and its environmental mission.
Eco Dog Solutions applies that same detection discipline to a river pollution problem that communities can’t ignore: finding misconnections fast, mapping evidence clearly, and helping get repairs completed—starting in the River Wye catchment.
Andy Shaw — Co-Founder & Lead Operations
Andy leads operations at Eco Dog Solutions CIC. He brings over 22 years’ experience as a Military Working Dog Trainer in the British Army’s Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
During his military career, Andy worked in 15+ countries, completed multiple operational tours, and built a deep understanding of how working dogs perform at their best—training quality, reliability under pressure, and disciplined, repeatable deployment methods.
Andy completed his service at the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) as the Chief Dog Trainer, reflecting the highest level of expertise and leadership within the field. As he progressed through the ranks, he also became responsible for managing troops and maintaining standards across teams—experience he now applies to Eco Dog’s delivery model, safety, consistency, and operational scale.
Andy is driven by the mission to use world-class detection capability for environmental protection—helping to restore and safeguard waterways for the next generation.
Snipe — Detection Dog
Snipe is the working dog at the heart of Eco Dog Solutions. He supports surveys by screening drainage assets for wastewater odours, helping pinpoint likely contamination points quickly and safely.
Snipe works to a welfare-first standard: positive reinforcement, short shifts, rest and hydration, and safe boundaries at all times.