New K9 officer prepares for work at Tulsa International Airport

A new officer is walking the beat at the Tulsa International Airport. The four-feet beat. Iwan is the latest addition to the bomb-sniffing dogs at the airport. <br/><br/>As News on 6 reporter Steve

Friday, February 3rd 2006, 9:49 am

By: News On 6

A new officer is walking the beat at the Tulsa International Airport. The four-feet beat. Iwan is the latest addition to the bomb-sniffing dogs at the airport.

As News on 6 reporter Steve Berg explains, he's a breed apart.

The airport is the right place for Iwan, because when he goes, he's off like a rocket. Tulsa Police officer Carl Small: "he's called the working dog, but to him he's playing, to him it's all play."

Iwan is a Belgian Malinois, often confused for a German Shepherd. They are a lighter, more agile dog and whatever they do, they do it 100 percent. "One of the reasons they use them is they're a high-drive dog. They like to work. They like to play."

And Iwan's idea of fun is looking for explosives. To demonstrate, they planted an explosive agent on our news vehicle and the nose knows. "If you watch closely, he'll start to drool, he's so excited."

And he doesn't ask for much in return. "His reward for getting to play is his kong, his little rubber chew toy and his whole life revolves around that." In an era of heightened security, Iwan's job is more important than ever. "And hopefully helping the air traffic, if more people are willing to fly because the dogs are out here doing their jobs, protecting the citizens."

Police officer Carl Small says there's still no high-tech that can beat him. "Not that I've found. They've got incredible noses. Like I said, we can put a small amount out in a large location and they will find it. So it's impressive to watch."