Around 1,200 law enforcement dogs will greet and inspect airline passengers as more than 40 million expected travelers pass through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at airports over the next two weeks.
TSA, which has the second largest number of dogs of any federal agency, released photos of some of its canine staff. This Christmas, they will be working overtime to sniff passengers at more than 100 airports and other transit hubs.
The canine officers are graduates of the TSA National Explosives Detection Canine Program in San Antonio. While in school, each dog learned how to smell for and alert their human partner if they smell explosives.
Training lasts 10 to 12 weeks, depending on whether the dog is learning to detect explosives or is also learning how to properly interact with people.
Here are a few pups from across the country that have gotten into the “howliday” spirit.
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
Xxylon is pictured at San Jose International Airport.
(Transportation Security Administration)
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
Bak is pictured on a sleigh at Philadelphia International Airport.
(Transportation Security Administration)
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
Fany is pictured on a chair near several Christmas trees at Portland International Airport.
(Transportation Security Administration)
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
Perry is pictured in front of holiday greenery at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
(Transportation Security Administration)
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
Bobi (left) is pictured near a person, a holiday sign, and a Christmas tree at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
(Transportation Security Administration)
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
Alphie holds a toy duck while wearing a holiday hat at Southwest Florida International Airport.
(Transportation Security Administration)
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
Buddy (pictured right) sits next to a holiday-themed bear at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
(Transportation Security Administration)
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
Felton, left, and Buddy, right, are pictured with reindeer antlers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
(Transportation Security Administration)
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
Houdini is pictured next to some people in holiday-themed outfits at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
(Transportation Security Administration)
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
Iza is pictured near some box-themed decorations at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
(Transportation Security Administration)
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
Rex of Tampa International Airport wears a Santa hat.
(Transportation Security Administration)
TSA releases photos of how dogs are celebrating the howlidays
Rea is pictured at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
(Transportation Security Administration)
