RECRUITER HAS A NOSE FOR DRUG DOGS

Customs Officer Makes Good Find at Marion Shelter

Nearly a year ago on the nose, Braddock got a new leash on
life.

Braddock's boundless energy is most likely what landed him in the
Marion County pound in the first place, but it was also his ticket
out.

Because boundless energy, said U.S. Customs supervisory canine
enforcement officer Ed Hoisington, is exactly what the customs
department is looking for.

Braddock, a German shepherd mix, first made the acquaintance of the
Marion County Humane Society in January 2002 when he was brought in as
a stray. But luckily for Braddock, Hoisington was close by, on one of
his many procurement runs in the area.

Several times a year, Hoisington spends two to three weeks visiting
shelters throughout West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio,
Michigan and Wisconsin. What he's looking for, he said, is dogs just
like Braddock.

The ideal dog, Hoisington explained, is 1-3 years old, with high
energy and top-notch retrieval skills.

"We look for dogs with a sound temperament, not afraid or aggressive,"
he said. "And with a high drive to retrieve. Dogs with no 'off
switch.'" When he arrives at a shelter, Hoisington will test the dogs
by throwing a ball, a stick -- whatever is nearby -- and watching how
the dog fetches. He may even purposely chuck the object underneath a
vehicle, or into an otherwise difficult spot for the dog to retrieve
it.

If the dog stays mesmerized by the object, staring at it and
scratching to get it, Hoisington says it's a good bet that the dog has
got the right stuff.

"Some dogs, it's out of sight, out of mind," he explained. "But good
retrievers, they'll keep trying. Once an object is out of sight, the
dog will automatically shift to using his sense of smell to track the
object."

And when it comes to being a U.S. Customs search dog, it's all about
the sniffer.

After passing a battery of health tests at a veterinarian's office,
Braddock was taken to the Canine Enforcement Training Center in
Washington, D.C., to begin his education as a drug detection dog.

His first two weeks in the program were an introductory period,
Hoisington said.

"First, we show the dog a luggage belt, then a moving luggage belt,
because that may be confusing or intimidating for a dog," he said.
"Then, the dog will go up on the moving luggage belt, and it will
progress that way."

Once the dog feels secure with the trappings of his training, the
actual lessons begin.

Braddock was entered into a narcotics class on Feb. 11, 2002. He
graduated 13 weeks later, on May 10, 2002, at the top of his class.

Braddock can sniff out all kinds of drugs, including marijuana,
hashish, heroin, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and Ecstacy.

"It keeps him busy, that's for sure," Hoisington said.

To introduce the target scents, training officers use towels rolled up
into an object about the size and shape of a flashlight. Once the dog
has picked up on the smells, the towels are thrown or hidden and then
sought out by the animal.

In this way, the dogs are trained to search open fields, where drugs
may be buried; as well as luggage, aircraft, cars, trucks and warehouses.

"We run the gamut of things for them to check," Hoisington said. "Any
area that may be used by a smuggler, they're trained on."

The dog may then be assigned to an airport officer, or be stationed at
the Canadian or Mexican border, Hoisington said.

But drugs aren't the only illegal substances dogs can be trained to
seek out. They may be used to sniff out explosives, weapons or even
U.S. currency.

"The ink and paper used in U.S. currency are unique items and
therefore they have a unique smell," Hoisington said.

Dogs may also be used by Department of Agriculture agents to detect
smuggling of fruits or meat products from outside the country.

"The dogs do very well, they're very productive," Hoisington said.
"Same goes for Braddock. He's a good customs dog, no doubt about it."