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Bomb Dog Spotlight: Brandon and Stacey

In his nine years as an Enhanced Protection Services Explosive Detection Canine (EDC) Handler, Brandon Bowe has never used one single sick day. It is an accomplishment that he credits to a healthy lifestyle and passion for his work. That notable statistic is among many achievements that earned Brandon the Michael O’Neil Commemorative Award for Excellence in 2020. The award, named in honor of Enhanced Protection Services’s former President, CEO and Chairman who led the company for over a decade prior to his passing in 2020, recognizes exemplary service, leadership and dedication.

The Persistent Threat of IEDs Requires the Right Screening Tools

The bombs planted by brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev that killed three people and seriously injured hundreds of others nine years ago this month at the Boston Marathon were created using pressure cookers loaded with nails and ball bearings. These improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were concealed in backpacks and hidden near the race finish line. Pressure-cooker bombs, which are pipe bombs in a different container, are favored by terrorists from New York to Afghanistan.

Critical Phases of Explosive Detection Canine Training

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, with up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to about six million in humans. And the part of a dog's brain that is devoted to analyzing smells is about 40 times greater than ours. Most canines enjoy a “job” that keeps their bodies busy and their brains occupied – which is one reason why they make terrific bomb dogs. When it comes to work like this, once a dog understands that their task is to find a certain scent in exchange for a reward such as food or a toy, look out.