MILWAUKEE — Three explosive detection canines and their handlers are keeping passengers safe at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.

They are not only keeping people safe but also helping to reduce security wait times. It is all part of the TSA National Explosives Detection Canine Program.

“The lines disappear very quickly with the canines, it moves almost at walking time,” said Tim Goodman, Assistant Federal Security Director. “This will cut your wait time in half.”

The dogs and their handlers do critical work and are put through a lot of training. Rex is one of the newest canines to help sniff out explosives at the airport.

“His training is around eight weeks at the K9 training center and then we go down and train with the dogs for about four months,” said Regina Eisenberg, an explosive detection canine handler.

The pair have been working together for nearly four years and are just about inseparable.

“I take Rex home with me, he’s my dog,” Eisenberg said. “The government owns him, but he’s my dog and the best partner I could ask for.”

Rex and Regina even got to travel together and work the Super Bowl this year.

The program is made possible because of federal funding made possible by the TSA budget.

“With the RNC coming, we will use our K9 teams as well all around town for the events,” said Goodman.