An old proverb tells us that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. But for a group of hard-working dogs, all their hard work is in fact because all they do is play. And their owners, two sisters, are using their love of fun to rebuild forests that have burned in wildfires.

Francesca Torres and her sister, Constanza Torres, from Chile knew they had to do something to help after wildfires destroyed more than 590,000 acres of forest. What was left was a scorched ground, devoid of life. Torres, a dog trainer and owner of three Border Collies came up with a genius idea. Since her dogs, Das, Olivia and Summer, all loved playing and running through forests, why not put them to ‘work’?

“We come out with the dogs and the backpacks full of native seeds, and they run for the burned forest spreading the seeds,” Torres said. She lets the dogs run free to enjoy the time outside and play, all the while planting seeds that will someday be brand-new trees.

A specially-made backpack hangs of the dog. It is designed to drop tree seeds as the pup races around the forest. Photo courtesy of Torres

During the day, the dogs run back to Torres to get their packs refilled, and for their hard work they earn treats. Torres said her dogs can often run up to 18 miles, allowing the trio to drop more than 20 pounds of seeds in a single day. 

Torrid said that after six months, the results have been worth the time spent outside. “We have seen many results in flora and fauna coming back to the burned forest!” she said. While the job is serious work, for the dogs, it’s all an excuse to have fun, Torres added.

They reeeeeally love [it]!!” Torres said about her dogs. “It’s a country trip, where they can run as fast as they can and have a great time.”

Torres said their work will continue as long as they have to, to help bring back and revitalize the area’s most important ecosystems. When the dogs have down time, they spend it working with sheep, obedience training and disc training.

Francesca Torres and her sister, Constanza Torres, trained their dogs to plant tree seeds to help after a wildfire destroyed a local forest. Photo courtesy of Torres

The sheep herding, Torres said, comes in useful by teaching the dogs to retain self control and not go after any animals they might run into.

And if that wasn’t enough, Torres and her sister are paying for the entire project. From the seeds to any expenses with gear and transportation to the forest, the costs are just part of what is clearly a labor of love for their country and their city.

Sources: Tree Hugger  |  UpWorthy