Coming from a strong law enforcement family background, Jesikah Waite enlisted in the Army with a desire to serve in the military police. During basic training, an opportunity came up for canine handlers and Jesikah volunteered – along with a considerable number of other soldiers. “I am not even sure why I volunteered. I never even pet a large dog,” she recalls with a chuckle. Turns out Jesikah was selected as one of just 12 soldiers to go to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, for canine training. Initially a bit apprehensive, Jesikah quickly acclimated and fell in love with her new role.
Fast forward to today, after five years of military service and three years in correctional law enforcement, Jesikah is now an MSA Security® canine handler stationed in Milwaukee, WI. She and her canine partner, Justin III, are one of the hundreds of MSA Explosive Detection Canine (EDC) Teams working throughout the country screening cargo as part of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Third-Party Canine (3PK9) Program. She fondly thinks back to that day as a 22-year-old Army trainee and is beyond grateful she raised her hand. “I knew this was a career for me right from the start. In the Army, my canine partner and I were trained for criminal apprehension and explosive detection. That experience led me here to MSA and Justin, who is the best partner anyone could ask for,” she says.
MSA carefully vets and selects bomb-sniffing dogs like Justin for a keen sense of smell, drive, intelligence and stable temperament. This MSA team trained and certified for cargo screening at one of the company’s regional training centers and currently works on behalf of an international cargo shipper. The most effective and efficient way to screen cargo for explosives is with an EDC team. In fact, canine screening is up to 10x faster than X-ray or trace detection methods whether it is ULDs, pallets, cookie sheets or loose cargo. All MSA cargo teams meet rigorous standards and are well equipped to support high screening demands from regulated cargo carries of all sizes.
The days in cargo screening are certainly busy but Jesikah says that she and Justin like it that way. With an infectious and bubbly personality, this MSA handler enjoys keeping her five-year-old yellow Labrador at the top of his game with regular verbal affirmation, positive reinforcement and exercise. “I tell him all the time how smart, strong and handsome he is,” she laughs. “He’s also so easy going, but when it is time for work, his energy is high and he knows exactly what to do – it’s party time for him. He is excited to get to work and that makes us super productive.”
For as much stamina as this team has while working, they are pretty chill when it comes to their downtime. Justin assimilated quickly into the family. He immediately connected with the family Labrador, Lilly, and Jesikah’s retired military working dog, Stella, who recently passed. He is also loving and gentle with Jesikah’s young son and daughter. “I appreciate Justin’s ability to be incredibly effective at work and then come home to have fun and hang out,” she says. The family’s favorite time is walking in the neighborhood or nearby store-front area and meeting up with old and new friends – both the two- and four-legged kind!
Learn more about how MSA leads in canine cargo screening solutions.
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