Imagine being asked to smell a pie and then identify every ingredient. Then, imagine that pie being in a sealed box on the other side of the room. Impossible right?
Dogs, on the other hand, were built for this. Equipped with a staggering 125 million to 300 million olfactory receptors – versus a human’s 5 million to 6 million – a dog uses most of its processing powers to detect and identify scents.
But the dogs in this story aren’t sniffing out pies. They’re looking for anything threatening or suspicious.
Money and Jet, two black labrador retrievers in the TVA Police department, have a one-track mind: tennis balls.
“That’s their paycheck,” laughs Jason “JT” Thomason, TVA Police Inspector and handler to Jet.
JT and fellow handler Jason Cleveland recently acquired Money and Jet from a vendor that focuses on single-purpose detection work. Over a series of a few days, Jason and JT tested nearly 20 dogs, evaluating their personalities and environmental exposure to see which would be a good fit for TVA.
“We liked the labs because they are less intimidating than other breeds,” Jason said. “We also wanted to make sure they didn’t shut down in small spaces or on certain types of floors. We took them to a couple of dog-friendly businesses to see how they’d react off-site, and they did great.”
From left, TVA Police Inspector Jason Cleveland and Money, and Inspector Jason “JT” Thomason and Jet.
The Special Sauce
To an outsider, dogs like Money and Jet just appear to be sniffing around. But that zigzagging pattern isn’t aimless – it is intensive data collection.
“We take in the world through our eyes,” Jason said. “They take it in through their nose.”
Once the dogs catch a scent, they begin zigzagging to find the edge of the plume – a technique known as bracketing. The dog moves back and forth across the scent cone to find the strongest source of odor. Once the dogs zero in on the scent, they alert their handler. For obvious reasons, they don’t paw at the device. Jet sits and Money gets stiff, almost pointing.
But the scenario is not the same every time. Temperature, airflow, humidity and placement of the object all dictate how the scent travels. That’s why training is paramount. It doesn’t stop once the dogs leave their training academy.
“You don’t train dogs for odors once and that’s it,” Jason said. “There has to be continuous reinforcement.”
And that’s what outsiders may not understand.
“People think it’s glamourous,” JT said. “But they don’t see early morning training, cleaning kennels, bathing dogs, and especially the work before events.”
The behind-the-scenes efforts often go unnoticed, but it’s this preparedness that makes things run smoothly. Jason and JT arrive at events before anyone else, sweeping the area for any hazards. The logistics of traveling with a dog are a little different, too.
“Leading up to the event, I’m looking extensively at hotels,” JT explained. “I need one with a grass area or a field close by so I can exercise and train Jet.”
Readiness is a never-ending task. And that means staying focused, even at home. Although Money and Jet go home with their handlers, they aren’t exactly family pets.
“At the end of the day, Jet is a working dog,” JT said. “I don’t want her to get so comfortable at home that when we are out working she thinks, ‘When are we going home to the couch?’”
Jason agreed. “If they get too comfortable at home, it can affect their drive.”
That drive is the special sauce – it’s what keeps the dogs working. It fuels the tennis ball obsession and, ultimately, it keeps TVA facilities safe.
Money and Jet.
Perfect Pawtners
On a recent outing, Money and Jet jumped out of their truck kennels – live wires buzzing. Their muscles quivered beneath sleek black fur, anticipating their work and, of course, the toy.
As they played with their toys in the park, a special privilege only for a photoshoot, Money and Jet showcased an unbridled joy. But it was also accompanied by discipline – they never took their eyes off their handlers.
And for a moment, while the tennis ball hung suspended in the air, you couldn’t tell the difference between work and play. It was all wrapped up in one thing: purpose.
“You know,” JT said. “Dogs give you so much loyalty. That’s why I do this. If together we find that one device that saves a life – that’s my career. It means everything.”
Photo Gallery
Cleveland plays with Money at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga.
Tennis balls are always a big hit on outings. “That’s their paycheck,” Thomason said.
Money chases a tennis ball as Cleveland looks on.
Thomason plays with Jet at Coolidge Park in Chattanooga.
Cleveland plays with Money at Coolidge Park.
Even during moments of play, Money and Jet show discipline and focus.
