Auburn-trained canines with a new set of detection skills will now be able to keep airports safe from terrorism.
The first class of detection dogs recently graduated from Auburn's Vapor Wake Detection Program.
The program is a part of the College of Veterinary Medicine and trains detection dogs to smell explosives that are being worn or concealed on a person's body.
The idea of training dogs to be able to detect explosives originated after the tragedy at Columbine High School in Colorado, said Robert Gillette, director of the animal health and performance program.
"We saw a need in this country for detection dogs that could identify suicide bombers and people who have explosives strapped to their body," said John Pearce, associate director of the Canine Detection Research Institute.
The unique thing about the Vapor Wake program is the dogs do not actually smell individuals, but rather the plume of scent left behind as people walk by the dog.
This method of canine detection is less obtrusive and helps to protect people's privacy, said Gillette.
"When people walk into a room, they see all these different colors," Gillette said. "When a dog walks into a room, they smell a ton of different smells, and we have just trained these dogs to zone in on one particular smell."
The dogs learn the smell of explosives through a reward system. They then begin to relate the identification of that smell to rewards.
Craig Angle, associate director of the Veterinary Sports Medicine Program, has an important role in ensuring that the dogs chosen for the Vapor Wake Program are healthy and fit to perform.
"We have these dogs from the time they are born, so they are trained their entire life to perform these detection jobs," Angle said.
Angle also works to keep the dogs in shape, with trainers focusing on strengthening the muscles and cardiovascular systems of the dogs.
The breed the Auburn Vapor Wake program prefers is the Labrador retriever because it is a friendly, social dog that can fit into many environments, Gillette said.
He also said this breed is viewed more positively by the public than a German shepherd or other breeds.
"It is important that we identify dogs that can handle busy environments like airports," Gillette said. "We want dogs who want to do what we ask. We always say if dogs could talk we would want the ones that would call us up and ask for a job."
The dogs go through 11 weeks of training before the handlers arrive. After the handlers are present, the course is another 12 weeks and is focused mostly on the application side of training.
Ten handlers, along with their dog partners, graduated from the first Vapor Wake training program April 6.
These handlers will be stationed at Miami International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Va.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
