The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employs over 1,000 canine teams nationwide. Each team consists of a highly trained and TSA-certified dog and their handler. The teams may perform various jobs around transportation facilities. Tasks might include screening passengers, cargo, or additional security needs as they arise. Each team provides many hours of service yearly. In 2019, there were more than 300,000 active canine hours logged.
The primary responsibility of a canine team is to respond to, deter, and detect threats. You might see teams in cargo areas, walking through passenger terminals, on planes and trains, or in any other area of the facility.
However, these certified hard working pups also get break time too! You might occasionally spot a TSA dog play break here and there. Once they’ve put in their years, these pups also retire to loving homes!
@dog_rates what do you think? 14/10? https://t.co/F35U3ON8Jj
— TSA (@TSA) June 18, 2020
TSA values all their K9 working dogs. They have specific work hours and required break times. There are even Human Resource incentive programs and retirement parties! The contest for the 2023 Cutest Canine went to an employee named Dina at Harry Reid International Airport in Washington, D.C. The contest on social media allowed users to vote for the finalists.
Some TSA working dogs also provide marketing assistance to help the social media teams keep up with passenger safety and travel tips.
There is also a need for these hardworking companions to get a break and enjoy playtime! In this clip, you can spot a hard-working TSA dog take a well-deserved play break in an airport.
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