Amtrak K-9 Teams Hard at Work

WHY IT RATES: Amtrak is pairing up police officers with a furry friend as the first line of defense in keeping the rails and it’s passengers safe from potential threats of explosives.—Jessica Zickefoose, TravelPulse Associate Editor

As customers ride the rails throughout the U.S. for business or pleasure travel this summer, they may encounter Amtrak K-9’s working hard to protect America’s Railroad®. As a key part of the railroad’s multi-layered approach to security, Amtrak Police Officers on the K-9 Unit are paired with a furry partner who only stands 3-feet-tall. By working together, this duo is the first line of defense in protecting passengers and stopping potential threats before they happen.

Strategically deployed at stations throughout the network, Amtrak Police Department K-9 teams provide a psychological and physical deterrent to potential threats from explosives. Currently, more than 50 K-9 teams are involved in up to 1,000 train trips a month.