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San Antonio Family Helps Fight Against Terrorism
By Rebecca Rainer

Mike and Rosa Reinert of Champion Springs were always dog people. For years their toy poodle and loveable mutt completed their family. That was until they opened their home and hearts to a dog with a greater cause.

“I saw a story on the news about the puppies being bred at Lackland and it intrigued me,” recalls Mike. “I thought it was a great way to give back to this country and do my part in the fight against terrorism.”

Soon, the Reinerts became one of hundreds of families who are playing a vital role in the Canine Breeding and Development Center’s Puppy Program. They became foster parents to 10-weekold Quick, an energetic, black Labrador Retriever who would call their Stone Oak residence “home” for the next eight months.

“I am held in awe of all the volunteers who have done so much for this program,” said Scott Thomas, CBDC program manager. “I can never express strongly enough how the backbone of this program is our volunteers, who are to me our heroes.”

Thomas runs the 10-year-old program out of Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. A division of the Transportation Security Administration, the program is part of a global effort to breed working explosives detection dogs. Center officials are breeding better detector dogs to work at airports, ferry terminals and rail stations, while regular citizens are performing a vital part by serving as foster families for the puppies until one year of age. In addition to protecting our nation’s mass-transit systems, puppies bred and raised in the TSA puppy program have gone on to provide security for Air Force One.

In order to keep program officials on task and constantly reminded of the role these dogs play in our national security, each dog is named after someone who lost their life in the 9/11 attacks or soldiers who have paid the ultimate price in the fight against terrorism overseas. Quick was named after Army Sgt. Marquees A. Quick, a 28-yearold soldier from Alabama who was killed Aug. 19, 2006 in Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit came under a grenade attack on a mission. As “Puppywalkers,” the Reinerts main responsibility was to socialize Quick and get him comfortable around people. From walks in crowded parking lots to monthly trips to area car shows, Quick quickly became accustomed to the different sights and sounds of the traveling public; a skill that he would eventually put to use on the job.

“We love going to car shows, so Quick would come with us,” explained Mike. “It worked for us and fell right into what we liked to do on the weekends. Just to be around bunches of people and loud noises were perfect for him. He loved to run, so we’d take him on playgrounds and near construction sites so he could learn to navigate different terrain and different stimuli.” Thomas says without the dedication and commitment of foster families like the Reinerts the program would not be as successful. “Many people think that dogs raised in a kennel environment their entire lives would be more adept when they reach the right age for training, but the opposite is the case,” said Thomas. “Our Puppywalker families are exposing these puppies to sights, sounds and scenarios across the city that we could never accomplish on a weekly basis. A kennel environment is the same day after day, but a family’s home environment is constantly changing from workday to weekend, the school year to summer. It’s ideal.”

The process certainly worked for Quick. Once the Reinerts role was complete, Quick entered training and today is working in New Jersey for the New York Port Authority.

“I knew giving him up was part of the deal, and it was tough. It’s a family member who you’ll teach, train, and send out in the world to do good,” admitted Mike. “What I really appreciated was after he left our home and graduated from the program, program officials have kept in touch with us. We still get to know all the great things Quick is doing on the job. We know, in some small way, we’re a part of that success.”

The Reinerts enjoyed their experience with Quick so much that they soon welcomed Noel into their home and lives as well. “I’d do it again, because I whole-heartedly believe in what they are doing,” added Mike. “I always believe that if one of these dogs, mine or one in San Antonio, is able to save a life, that to me is what it’s all about.”

If you are interested in learning more about the TSA Puppy Program or want to be a volunteer Puppywalker, you can visit www.tsa.gov and enter “Puppy Program,” or call 210-671-1624.

The program depends on volunteer families in San Antonio and Austin, Texas to raise puppies from age ten weeks to 12 months, when they can enter explosives detection training. During this time, families are responsible for providing their pups with a well-rounded, socialized and nurturing environment.

The program supplies food, equipment and medical care for the puppies while in foster care. The pups are returned to the program for one week each month for medical and behavioral evaluation. The program provides feedback to the foster families on how the puppy is developing. At approximately one year of age, the pups are returned to the program to start their official training.

Potential foster families must have a secure fenced yard, a vehicle in which the pup can be transported, no more than two other dogs in the home, and the time to raise a very active puppy.

Due to the overwhelming generosity of the American public, the program currently has a very lengthy waiting list to adopt a puppy. However, if you would like to be added to the list please visit www.tsa.gov and enter “Puppy Program.”