Congress celebrates the impact of working dogs

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Six energetic puppies brought some positivity to the Capitol building, thanks to the Congressional Working Dog Caucus.

“Just to kind of spread some good cheer and to really just advocate for working dogs in general,” Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) said.

Kiggans says the caucus highlights the contributions these pups make to different communities.

“And not just in schools, in our communities. Law enforcement also uses them, in the military as well. It’s big in my district,” Kiggans said.

Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.) helped start this bipartisan caucus to promote the critical role of these dutiful dogs to other lawmakers.

“Whether it’s to security, or it’s to companionship, I mean, there’s just so many ways and benefits that is provided to the American people and to communities across our nation,” Davis said.

These pups are only about three months old and when they reach one year, they’ll start their training, which only takes a few months.

“Most of these guys are going to end up being detection dogs, whether it’s, you know, narcotics detection or explosives detection,” James Overton with American K-9 Interdiction said.

Overton trains the dogs and says these positive pooches are exposed to as many stimulants as possible, to prepare them for when the rough work starts.

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“We try to make it as fun and stimulating as possible, while at the same time incorporating, you know, all of these normal amounts of people the sights, the sounds and noises,” Overton said.

Kiggans and Davis are confident this event will fetch more support from other lawmakers, and lead to other bipartisan efforts down the road.

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