The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a hearing on Thursday discussing government canine programs and how they contribute to America’s national security.
“The concept of a working dog is familiar to most Americans,” Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson said. “Dogs can serve as eyes for the blind and ears for the deaf. They can assist many Americans with mobility restrictions. They serve in the military, detecting IEDs and saving the lives of countless men and women in our armed forces. After disasters, dogs search for survivors and help rescue them.”
Johnson detailed canine efforts in surveying potential threats in airports, train stations and capitol grounds, noting that canine teams are credited with helping U.S. Customs and Border Patrol seize more than 4,500 pounds of heroin in FY 2015.
Security hasn’t been the only issue canine teams have assisted on. Dogs have contributed heavily in search and rescue efforts following natural and man-made disasters. Additionally, Johnson said that dogs have been assisting in cancer screening at rates exceeding some laboratory tests in use today. The canines also screen for such conditions as diabetes, which dogs can detect when blood sugar levels start to get too low or too high.
The hearings were held to analyze and understand the relationship of canine programs in the department.