A dog with a job: Vegas’s new career in aviation security

When our Canine Attendants get to know the dogs in their care, they make notes about each one’s character traits and needs, so they can match them with the right forever home. But in Vegas's case, Canine Attendant Jo realised this dog was special – and knew she was meant for something different.

Jo had previously worked as a Drug Dog Handler at NZ Customs and was involved in recruiting working dogs for her department. Since she’s been with SPCA, she’s kept a well-trained eye out for any dogs who might be a good fit for her old team, like those with high intelligence and exercise needs.

Enter Vegas: a smart, energetic dog returned from her first adoptive home. Vegas was adopted from SPCA as a young puppy, but was returned to our Kerikeri Centre as she was “hard work” and wasn’t getting on well with two other dogs in the home. Jo sensed that this was likely due to Vegas’s high intelligence, and her need for lots of mental and physical exercise – traits that might make a life as an EDD (Explosive Detector Dog) the perfect fit.

Jo did an assessment with Vegas and sent videos to an old colleague in Aviation Security (AvSec). With a tentative thumbs up, Jo and Vegas drove down to Whangārei so Vegas could be assessed further.

According to Jo, Vegas "performed amazingly” at her second assessment – so much so that the AvSec handler took her back to Auckland that afternoon! Vegas was in for several weeks of assessment before she could be officially accepted, but Jo was “pretty confident” that the result would be a good one.

According to her handler after her first day, Vegas was a “natural” in the work, and she continued to excel throughout her assessment. After four weeks, everyone knew it would be made official. She had found her calling!

Vegas has been officially adopted by the AvSec team and is now in the process of being paired with a new handler for her training as an Explosive Detector Dog. Her current trainer tells us that “every handler is fighting over her – she’s that good!”

They say she’s “the happiest girl,” and that “it’s exciting to be a part of her development because she’s teaching me as much as I’m teaching her. I know she’ll do well, and it’s been super fun to work with her so far.” And after each shift, she’ll go home with her handler, experiencing the love and affection of a forever home after a satisfying day of work. What a life!

Jo’s keen eye and experience led Vegas to her forever home in an environment where her intelligence and energy are prioritised. It's aperfect fit for Vegas, and we’re thrilled to see her thriving in her new career!