[nagdu] FYI FW: Communication # 15: Passenger Screening Canines

[Michael Hingson]

-----Original Message-----
From: Buckland, Susan [mailto:Susan.Buckland at tsa.dhs.gov] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2014 11:42 AM
To: Undisclosed recipients:
Subject: Communication # 15: Passenger Screening Canines

Good Afternoon Coalition Members -
The Transportation Security Administration Disability Branch would like to
share the following information with you regarding Passenger Screening
Canines.  Please feel free to share it with others.

The Transportation Security Administration Disability Program and the
National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program appreciates you contacting
us, and affording us the opportunity to respond to your inquiry regarding
Passenger Screening Canines and their interaction with service animals. Our
canine handlers are well aware of the sensitivities involved while working
around other animals (such as dogs and cats) as well as people that are
generally afraid of dogs. A great amount of time is spent instructing the
handlers on the importance of maintaining control of their assigned canine
at all times.
When Passenger Screening Canine teams are working in the public queue line
area, interaction with service animals should not be an issue because the
screening canines and their handlers continuously undergo extensive training
to ensure control of the canine in the context of the work they do.
Additionally, the Passenger Screening Canine teams are highly-trained to
maintain situational awareness at all times.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you.


Susan Buckland
Disability Branch, POC TSA Disability and Medical Condition Coalition,
Outreach and Engagement Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsmen and
Traveler Engagement Transportation Security Administration Department of
Homeland Security
Susan.buckland at tsa.dhs.gov<mailto:Susan.buckland at tsa.dhs.gov>