Thursday was National Dog Day and airports went all out to celebrate their favorite pooches.
First, let’s congratulate Alona, who works at Mccarran International Airport in Las Vegas, who is this year’s winner of the TSA’s Cutest Canine contest.
Thank you to everyone who 'raised a paw' and voted for Alona in this year's @TSA Cutest Canine contest. She is a worthy holder of this title and spends her days working @LASairport. Who knew a #workingdog could be so skilled AND so cute? 🐾 pic.twitter.com/S7cp7YGadK
BLOG: Every dog has their day, and today belongs to Alona, the winner of this year’s TSA Cutest Canine Contest! We tallied over 131,000 votes from you on our social media platforms. Alona, an Explosives Detection Canine out of @LasAirport. Read more at: https://t.co/cfy9obTyQwpic.twitter.com/nwDf9yvfCi
& it wouldn't be a #NationalDogDay without shouting out some of our favorite furry friends at CHS! Scout, Taz & Hector keep our travelers safe and we are so thankful for them. 🐾 🐶 pic.twitter.com/VA8lsUMWq8
— Charleston International Airport (@iflyCHS) August 26, 2021
Today Paws for Takeoff launched at CHS! Playful, tail-wagging canines and their owners provide a special way to help alleviate the stress that is so common in an airport environment. Teams volunteering at CHS will visit on Thursdays or Sundays between the hours of 9a and 6p. 🐾 pic.twitter.com/gdlbW6w02Y
— Charleston International Airport (@iflyCHS) August 26, 2021
Happy National Dog Day to all the K9s who play an essential role in keeping our passengers safe. Meet officer Ayers and K9 Sandy from the @houstonpolice. pic.twitter.com/bgWyoCBEI1
It is International Dog Day! In celebration, we have 8 CATS Teams out and about starting at 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. Check in with our Information Booths to find out where you can find the teams! 🐾 🐕 🐾 #DENCATSpic.twitter.com/xY1nr2ytGg
We’re celebrating #NationalDogDay🐶 with the #MiamiHoundMachine. Even though they are not back in the terminal, you can still snap a pic📷 with them at MIA. Just look for our pop-up photo spots. Now that’s news that will get tails wagging! pic.twitter.com/UE9hhOisau
We have a lot to celebrate on International Dog Day! We are thankful for the dedication and hard work of our SDF WAGS and Public Safety K-9 teams, doing their part to keep travelers happy and safe. #FlyLouisville#NationalDogDay#Dogdaypic.twitter.com/pisUbyZOAK
National Dog Day is coming up on August 26. And in preparation for that holiday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is having a contest to pick the cutest canine from its roster of more than 1000 dogs trained to sniff out explosives.
Four furry finalists were in the running, chosen from those nominated by their handlers.
To narrow it down to a winner, the first match-up took place on Wednesday, August 19 between two of the finalists.
And it looks like Kajila from Honolulu’s Daniel Inouye International Airport (HNL) won that round.
On Thursday, August 20, the public was asked to pick their favorite between pup Lexa-Alexey from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Ron, who works at Oakland International Airport (OAK).
Voting in this second round ends early Friday morning.
Voting in the second round of @TSA's cutest canine contest ends at 9 a.m. PST Friday. Please don't miss your chance to vote. Lexa-Alexey (at left) and Ron (at right) are worthy competitors when it comes to cuteness. 🐾🐾 https://t.co/ZgGSYBM0Fhpic.twitter.com/9pywMiO61r
— TSA_Pacific (formerly TSAMedia_Lorie) (@TSA_Pacific) August 21, 2020
On Friday, August 21, the winners of the first two rounds will go head to head, with the overall winner to be announced on August 26, National Dog Day.
TSA’s explosives detection canines have serious job descriptions.
They’re tasked with screening passengers, cargo, mass-transit, and maritime systems, and they support other security missions. Each dog is specially trained and paired with a TSA handler.
If you see these dogs at the airport, you may want to pet them.
Don’t do that.
TSA says that “While TSA canines are sociable, they are working dogs and they should not be petted or fed by anyone except their handlers.”