Since September 11th, a number of individuals and companies have gone into the business of training explosive detection dogs, but they have done so with very little knowledge of how to accurately train such dogs and with little regard for the quality of life the dogs have. As a result, dogs that are improperly trained, worked too hard and with too many different handlers, or are "cross-trained" (trained to sniff both bombs and drugs, for example) are making their way into public life. It is probably just a matter of time before one of these dogs misses a bomb or makes a wrong decision which could have serious consequences. By comparison, PBB is honored to work with the NYPD Bomb Squad and other law enforcement agencies because we have visited their training headquarters, we have seen the love between handlers and their dogs, we have seen the conditions under which the dogs live while they are being trained and we know that the dogs, once trained, do not live in kennels but live at home with their trainers.

Two bomb technicians from the NYPD Bomb Squad visited the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women to meet and thank the women for the work they are doing. One of the bomb sniffing dogs currently in the NYPD Bomb Squad, "Sheeba," was raised at the Edna Mahan facility and came back with her handler, Police Officer Paul Perricone, as a graduate of the NYPD's program. It was wonderful to have Officer Perricone come back and thank the inmate who raised his dog, for at that moment, it wasn't a police officer talking to an inmate; it was a bomb technician who spends his days making New York City safe for private citizens — and who depends on his dog to make the right decisions — speaking with the young woman who raised this incredible dog. All labels and barriers were nonexistent as two people discussed the pride and joy who sat between them, eagerly wagging her tail and looking up at people she loved.

In addition, an explosive detection canine handler works as an instructor for Puppies Behind Bars.  Through weekly classes with PBB instructors, inmates learn first-hand the proper techniques involved in training impeccable bomb sniffing dogs as well as the significance of their work.  Puppies Behind Bars gives inmates the opportunity to contribute to society rather than take from it, and lets law enforcement see that inmates are capable of doing something positive for the community.