As duos go, Mena and Tomokane are something special and have the task — along with two other canine teams — of ensuring the reptile known as the brown treesnake does not slither onto Saipan.
Variety had the pleasure of watching the five-year partners work at the airport cargo building for a morning and it was immediately obvious the deep level of respect and affection the two shares.
If you have never witnessed a professionally trained working canine it is a very impressive sight indeed.
Discipline and training
Tomokane only has to command Mena —an eight-year-old half-Pitbull, half-Labrador mix — and in a nanosecond she responds to the direction with absolute obedience built upon trust.
In order to fully understand Mena’s capabilities, Marja K. Onni, K-9 Supervisor/BTS Program brought along one of four live snakes kept in DFW’s for training and community education.
While Mena sat patiently to begin her work, Onni hid the dangerous reptile amidst cargo and walked away.
With one command Mena sprang to life and quickly but thoroughly sniffed her way through the warehouse and then just as suddenly sat down.
This one signal communicated to Peter that a snake was found… Mena makes no other move or sound and simply waited patiently as she stared up at her handler panting heavily.
Once Peter retrieved the snake, Mena received high praise and they set off again on their methodical search for the enemies possibly hidden in any Guam inbound cargo shipment or set of airplane landing gear.
The pair’s routine rotates between the seaport and the airport, six to eight hours per day, in five day blocks with two days’ rest.
Although canine programs may appear ‘warm and fuzzy’ to the general public, their importance cannot be overemphasized in regard to maintaining CNMI’s native birds and ensuring public safety.
Brown treesnakes are notorious for their preference of snuggling up to infants and biting them repeatedly, which can easily end in death.
The job perks
Mena and her two kennel-mates — Oric, a Florida Bloodhound and Rhia, a Black Lab — enjoy perks that are equal to their responsibility and status as government employees; except for the paycheck or pension of course.
BTS program canines have their own specially equipped transport vehicle painted with slithering snakes; a spacious and recently refurbished spotless kennel; loads of attention not only from their individual handlers but other fish and wildlife staff and perhaps best of all, a ready supply of treats: Mena’s favorites are bacon and cheese.
“As professional and well-trained as Mena is, she’s still just a big, furry baby who loves attention and kids,” commented Tomokane as he petted his a slobbering, happy partner.
This reporter found all three canines to be large, affectionate babies ready to interact and play during their downtime (this reporter has the slobber marks on her suit to prove it).
Mena, Oric and Rhia’s calm, intelligent and loving personalities not only keep them laser-focused in their work but allow the BTS program to do extensive public education and outreach at schools, the zoo and during community activities.
“Kids go crazy for the dogs and the dogs go crazy for them – there’s always a lot of love and smiles when the dogs act as program ambassadors,” explained Onni.
Mena’s time as both a working snake sniffer and ambassador will come to end in another year or so however, as most dogs retire around the age of nine.
In the vast majorities of cases, the canine’s partner adopts them into their family so not too much change for the two-some except one half retires to leisure while the other half maintains the hunt for the enemy.
Remember, Mena, Oric and Rhia may have 12 legs among them but it is still not enough to search everywhere, so if you spot a brown treesnake, first try to kill it and then call 28-snake to report the sighting.
