Rescued pups graduate as bomb detector dogs

Jazz - Jazz is rewarded with her favourite toy after correctly locating the planted explosive material. Handler: Blair Ridgley. Photo / Brenna Lyn

At the end of this month four rescue dogs will graduate as fully trained explosive detector dogs after completing an intensive nine weeks of training.

The dogs will work as explosive detector dogs, for the Aviation Security Service (Avsec), which is the Civil Aviation Authority branch responsible for providing security services at six of New Zealand's airports.

The four graduating dogs were gifted from animal rescue organisations Helping You Help Animals (HUHA) and the SPCA.

All dogs have participated in a nine-week Explosive Detector Dog Course at the Police Dog Training Centre in Upper Hutt in Wellington.

Blaze_cargo - Blaze leads his handler after picking up on an explosive scent amongst cargo. Handler: Dean Owens. Photo / Brenna Lyn

The course was taught and supervised by two instructors-one from Avsec and one from the New Zealand Police.

The instructors trained four teams, each made up of one Avsec handler and one dog, to search and find explosives in different environments.

Sammy sniffs out the nooks and crannies for planted explosive material. Handler: Grant Downing. Photo / Brenna Lyn

At the end of the course the teams were tested and certified by the New Zealand Police.

HUHA's founder, Carolyn Press-McKenzie said the organisation actively worked to find homes for a multitude of homeless, high-needs, abandoned, seized and abused animals.

She said she was thrilled that Avsec was able to provide the dogs a new chance at life.

"We're really rapt with what Avsec does for these dogs that don't quite fit into society but go on to do great things in service of society."

Avsec explosive detector dog national manager Monique Masoe said Avsec had a strong relationship with HUHA because of a common interest in securing positive outcomes for both dogs, and the communities that they live in.

Bella is nose-to-ground on the hunt for planted explosive material. Handler: Dave Chait. Photo / Brenna Lyn

"As an explosive detector dog, the dogs enjoy a great life and do an important job, not just for Avsec, but for the travelling public and airport community."

The dogs will graduate from the Police Dog Training Centre, on Thursday April 30.