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Sure, they’re cute. But they’re also on the job.

We’re talking about the four-legged officers of the Port Authority Police Department’s K-9 unit. The group includes more than 40 highly trained detection dogs, specializing in either explosives or narcotics. These pups work with their handlers, who patrol the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s airports, the World Trade Center campus and the PATH train system, according to an Aug. 25 press release.

With a record 145.9 million people flying through the Port Authority’s four airports in 2024 alone – not to mention the millions more passing through the other locations – that’s a large number of travelers to secure.

The unit pairs include Officer Gregory Eppinger and K-9 Jimi. The pup’s name honors Officer James Parham, who died in the 9/11 attacks. Those two begin their day at Newark Liberty International Airport. Then there’s K-9 Donna and Officer Heriberto Torres. The team has worked together for nearly a decade and help keep locations such as John F. Kennedy International Airport safe.

According to the Port Authority, these K-9s respond to unattended bags, investigate suspicious activity and assist in security sweeps. They also may assist in conducting full aircraft or terminal searches, “often with very little notice.”

While their jobs are highly focused, their handlers make sure these dogs are well cared for and rewarded for their work.

“They’re doing what they love, and when they get it right, they’re rewarded with a toy, a treat, or a quick game of fetch,” said Eppinger.

And while Port Authority discourages travelers from petting on-duty K-9s, some officers hand out trading cards to help people get to know these K-9s without distracting the dogs from their mission, the Port Authority noted.

Read more about the work of these critical teams here.