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8 • Thursday, July 3, 2025
Detector dogs: Agriculture's best friend

(Family Features) They may be
cute, fluffy and friendly, but some
dogs also have an important job:
protecting America's food supply.
By deploying specially trained
beagles, Labrador retrievers and
Jack Russell terriers, the U.S. De-
partment of Agriculture's (USDA)
Animal Plant Health Inspection Ser-
vices' (APHIS) Detector Dog Pro-
gram puts elite canines to work on
the front lines at international air-
ports, mail facilities and border
crossings throughout the nation.
These furry sleuths maneuver be-
tween passengers and luggage to
search, locate and respond to the
presence of banned fruits, plants and
meats that may harbor damaging the center, dogs and their handlers out countries in the Pacific, tasked
insects and diseases that threaten the go through an 8-10-week training with identifying invasive species
country's agricultural production program to learn how to inspect and stopping them from reaching
and natural resources. passenger luggage and handbags for Hawaii. The work these dogs and
The program was started in 1984 agricultural goods such as fruits, their handlers do is critical to help
and soon grew in demand. By 2009, vegetables, beef and pork. stop the spread of invasive plant and
APHIS opened a 17-acre National Detector dogs patrol ports of animal pests and diseases that could
Detector Dog Training Center near entry, borders and airports to keep ravage America's agriculture.
the Atlanta International Airport. At harmful pests, like invasive fruit A detector dog's career spans
flies, out of the country. For exam- 6-8 years before they retire at 9
ple, labrador retrievers and their years old. At retirement age, 90% of
handlers protect the nation's fruit by dogs are adopted by their handler.
patrolling citrus orchards along the In the rare case they are not, the
Texas-Mexico border in search of handler will recommend a good
infested or diseased crops. home and a successful adoption
Safeguarding U.S. agriculture program ensures all dogs are well
and natural resources is part of the placed.
program's mission, but APHIS' De- Constantly on the lookout for
tector Dog Program also partners new pups, APHIS works closely
with countries like Canada and Tai- with animal shelters, rescue groups
wan to supply guidance, training and private individuals to find the
and testing of canine detection. right dogs for the job from any-
There are even detector dog teams where in the country. New recruits
on the job at cargo airports through- are 1-3 years old, heartworm nega-
tive, have high food drive and are
environmentally and socially
friendly. The ideal candidate is of-
ten that high-energy, hard-to-handle
pooch who simply needs a job and
a purpose.
If you or someone you know
would like to help the program
grow its squad of super sniffers,
email usdacanineadoptions@usda.
gov, call (887) 797-3899 or learn
more at aphis.usda.gov/aphis/our
focus/planthealth/ppq-program-
overview/nddtc.
Content courtesy of USDA

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