{"id":1109,"date":"2026-04-27T15:51:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T15:51:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sterlingcooper.info\/blog\/?p=1109"},"modified":"2026-04-27T16:57:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T16:57:30","slug":"two-of-the-hardest-working-dogs-at-the-airport-who-needs-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sterlingcooper.info\/blog\/two-of-the-hardest-working-dogs-at-the-airport-who-needs-people\/","title":{"rendered":"MEET THE LOCAL CELEBRITIES TWO OF THE HARDEST WORKING DOGS AT THE AIRPORT&#8230;WHO NEEDS PEOPLE!?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"grid-full-inner-standard\">\n<header class=\"wpds-c-fGHEql\" data-qa=\"main-full\">\n<div id=\"split-topper-left\" class=\"wpds-c-gSDIUe wpds-c-gSDIUe-ibkEAEf-css\" data-testid=\"split-topper-left\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-isovcn wpds-c-isovcn-lkoFcX-isTitleLeft-true wpds-c-isovcn-igKFbOH-css\">\n<div id=\"topper-text-elems\" class=\"wpds-c-gntUsX\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-cBzrLX wpds-c-cBzrLX-cmVlgk-isCenterNS-false wpds-c-cBzrLX-iyHTpF-useUATStyles-true wpds-c-cBzrLX-ihmcmjw-css\" data-testid=\"article-topper\">\n<h1 id=\"main-content\" class=\"wpds-c-dXnrMy wpds-c-dXnrMy-jgCxtz-isOnSplitTopper-true wpds-c-dXnrMy-ihXFkW-theme-dark wpds-c-dXnrMy-iPJLV-css\" data-qa=\"headline\" data-testid=\"headline\">The hardest-working staff at the airport? These two good boys.<\/h1>\n<p class=\"wpds-c-ckOSsQ wpds-c-ckOSsQ-ihXFkW-theme-dark wpds-c-ckOSsQ-iPJLV-css\" data-qa=\"subheadline\" data-testid=\"subheadline\">Border collies Hercules and Ned help protect planes and passengers from bird strikes. We spent a day with the local celebrities at work.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-bEimne wpds-c-bEimne-dbnSsT-theme-dark\" data-testid=\"timestamp\"><time class=\"wpds-c-gRBhEF wpds-c-gRBhEF-ihakyQ-css overrideStyles\" datetime=\"2026-04-26T09:00:42.391Z\" data-testid=\"updated-and-published\"><span class=\"wpds-c-bASIGw overrideStyles\" data-testid=\"display-date\">Yesterday at 5:00 a.m. EDT<\/span><\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"topper-lede-art\" class=\"wpds-c-lfaaUP\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-klfsiG overrideStyles\" data-testid=\"lede-art\">\n<figure class=\"wpds-c-ehwVbV\" data-testid=\"lede-image\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-hQNCQc\"><img class=\"wpds-c-fCbEVg wpds-c-fCbEVg-iPJLV-css\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 440px,(max-width: 768px) 691px,(max-width: 1023px) 916px,(max-width: 1199px) 1200px,(min-width: 1200px) 1440px,440px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/MAFXZ7DXOWKRULEA42W2CDUFPY.JPG&amp;w=440 400w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/MAFXZ7DXOWKRULEA42W2CDUFPY.JPG&amp;w=540 540w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/MAFXZ7DXOWKRULEA42W2CDUFPY.JPG&amp;w=691 691w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/MAFXZ7DXOWKRULEA42W2CDUFPY.JPG&amp;w=767 767w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/MAFXZ7DXOWKRULEA42W2CDUFPY.JPG&amp;w=916 916w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/MAFXZ7DXOWKRULEA42W2CDUFPY.JPG&amp;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/MAFXZ7DXOWKRULEA42W2CDUFPY.JPG&amp;w=1440&amp;impolicy=high_res 1440w\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"750\" \/><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-fixGjY wpds-c-fixGjY-lfLxnW-isTitleLeft-true\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-hCYdZl\">Ned, left, and Hercules take a break from work at the West Virginia International Yeager Airport, where they patrol and clear wildlife on the airport runways. (Rich-Joseph Facun for The Washington Post)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<article class=\"grid-article mb-xxl-ns\" data-qa=\"main\">\n<div class=\"grid-body\">\n<div class=\"meteredContent grid-center\">\n<div class=\"teaser-content\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<div id=\"primis_trigger\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"THHDY32OPNAHBGICQIS36SBETA\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"1\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">Five days a week, and sometimes weekends, the herding dogs punch the clock and go to work clearing birds and woodland creatures from the mountaintop airfield at CRW. Their job as \u201cwildlife canines\u201d is critical to protecting planes and passengers from potentially dangerous wildlife strikes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-subscribe-cta grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-fdwMEW overrideStyles hide-for-print\" data-qa=\"subscribe-promo\" data-testid=\"subscribe-promo\"><a class=\"wpds-c-dGsLpZ overrideStyles js-itid-click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/newsletters\/by-the-way\/?method=SURL&amp;location=ART\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-testid=\"subscribe-promo-button\"><span class=\"wpds-c-dxjemv\"><span data-testid=\"subscribe-promo-text\">.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"STEJBII5LFDHHOVIWATTAWA3NU\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"2\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">\u201cMy co-workers are all about the safety of the people flying in and out of the airport,\u201d said Chris Keyser, 59, the airport\u2019s wildlife specialist and dog handler. \u201cThey always want to do their job to make everybody safe.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"462V4IOBWRCLLCH4FYURL7KMRE\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"3\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">Collisions with local fauna is a real and rising threat. Between 1990 and 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration received reports of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/airports\/airport_safety\/wildlife\/wildlife-strike-report-1990-2024#:~:text=names%20and%20mean%20body%20masses,aviation%20airports%20have%20recorded%20significant\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">313,716 strikes<\/a>, including 25 accidents that caused 52 human deaths. In 2024, the agency registered 22,372 collisions, a 14 percent increase from the previous year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"BBMX4SSAVJFBJG2LDNVTHIQQEQ\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"4\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">Since the dogs joined CRW\u2019s wildlife management team \u2014 Hercules in 2018 and Ned in 2024 \u2014 Keyser said bird strikes have declined by more than 70 percent. As of January, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/wildlife.faa.gov\/home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FAA Wildlife Strike Database<\/a>, the airport has submitted only one incident to the agency, a brush with a common grackle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-image subtype-StaffPhoto grid-center grid-body grid-tablet-full-bleed size-medium\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-klfsiG\">\n<figure class=\"wpds-c-oragq wpds-c-oragq-iPJLV-css\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<div id=\"NEYHCKBMISJDPOFEXFRXJDK6PE\" class=\"wpds-c-hQNCQc wpds-c-hQNCQc-dvUqIX-hasCaption-true\"><img class=\"wpds-c-fCbEVg wpds-c-fCbEVg-iilHamt-css\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 440px,(max-width: 768px) 691px,(max-width: 1023px) 916px,(max-width: 1199px) 1200px,(min-width: 1200px) 1440px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/NEYHCKBMISJDPOFEXFRXJDK6PE.JPG&amp;w=440 400w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/NEYHCKBMISJDPOFEXFRXJDK6PE.JPG&amp;w=540 540w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/NEYHCKBMISJDPOFEXFRXJDK6PE.JPG&amp;w=691 691w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/NEYHCKBMISJDPOFEXFRXJDK6PE.JPG&amp;w=767 767w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/NEYHCKBMISJDPOFEXFRXJDK6PE.JPG&amp;w=916 916w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/NEYHCKBMISJDPOFEXFRXJDK6PE.JPG&amp;w=1023 1023w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/NEYHCKBMISJDPOFEXFRXJDK6PE.JPG&amp;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/NEYHCKBMISJDPOFEXFRXJDK6PE.JPG&amp;w=1440&amp;impolicy=high_res 1440w\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"750\" \/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wpds-c-eIdkKJ wpds-c-eIdkKJ-iPJLV-css\">A portrait of Hercules, along with his various work gear (blue pilot\u2019s cap, goggles) and honorary patches. (Rich-Joseph Facun for The Washington Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"L2NFDRR7LJBXLO4PHZF2BNGICA\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"5\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">\u201cBorder collies are so intelligent and can endure the heat and cold really well,\u201d said Keyser, who owns seven dogs. \u201cThey are full of energy and they like doing their job, because they\u2019re herding dogs. It\u2019s born in them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"L5OG3L36FNGATDY6IRO3UR34NU\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"6\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">The 9-year-old<b> <\/b>Hercules owes his livelihood to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.airportk9.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Piper<\/a>, the border collie who chased 9,347 birds over 6,206 hours at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Michigan. Piper died of cancer in 2018.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"HTOVL6MCN5FXHI7YDK4TLIH434\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"7\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">CRW airport authorities, inspired by Piper\u2019s accomplishments, decided to recruit a border collie of their own. After graduating from <a href=\"https:\/\/flyawaygeese.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Flyaway Geese<\/a>, a North Carolina dog-training facility, Hercules moved to the Charleston airport. When he was 7 years old and starting to slow down, Keyser drove back to North Carolina and returned with Ned, a tireless go-getter with a shiny black coat and pointy bat ears.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"LFIZKZ47FBHYXNHCYQVZN4OHWU\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"8\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">\u201cHerc is a working dog and loving dog,\u201d Keyser said. \u201cAnd Ned is all about work, but he likes to play ball, too.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"2XMBE457WFFI5LWFNFPGWGAOOM\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"9\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">Since introducing Hercules and later Ned, 4, on social media, the pups have gained celebrity status with about 72,000 followers on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/crwhercules\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@crw_hercules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TikTok<\/a>. Passengers and flight crew members passing through Charleston often request a cuddle session with the pups. The dogs even have their own apparel line as well as souvenir swag sold at the airport gift shop.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"N2SJYEVZ3FFOHN35JEZDX7E74Q\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"10\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">I count myself a fan and was delighted when Keyser invited me to accompany the pups on a daily patrol earlier this month. Unlike many working dogs at airports, petting Hercules and Ned is allowed. The wildlife team, in fact, encourages it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-header grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<h2 id=\"5TRNNIFKQFEFJCV7XH5ZW2YN7U\" class=\"wpds-c-XIGbK wpds-c-XIGbK-iivLrAs-css headingStyleOverrides\" data-apitype=\"header\" data-contentid=\"5TRNNIFKQFEFJCV7XH5ZW2YN7U\" data-testid=\"article-header\" data-scroll-pos=\"11\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">Preparing the dogs for duty<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV wpds-c-PJLV-hQpAdy-isCenteredLayoutFullBleedImg-true article-body type-image subtype-StaffPhoto grid-full-bleed size-large\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-klfsiG\">\n<figure class=\"wpds-c-oragq wpds-c-oragq-iPJLV-css\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<div id=\"OQS2TOW7BM7MXITX6XIOTQCPKI\" class=\"wpds-c-hQNCQc wpds-c-hQNCQc-dvUqIX-hasCaption-true\"><img class=\"wpds-c-fCbEVg wpds-c-fCbEVg-iriwMv-css\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 440px,(max-width: 768px) 691px,(max-width: 1023px) 916px,(max-width: 1199px) 1200px,(min-width: 1200px) 1440px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/OQS2TOW7BM7MXITX6XIOTQCPKI.JPG&amp;w=440 400w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/OQS2TOW7BM7MXITX6XIOTQCPKI.JPG&amp;w=540 540w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/OQS2TOW7BM7MXITX6XIOTQCPKI.JPG&amp;w=691 691w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/OQS2TOW7BM7MXITX6XIOTQCPKI.JPG&amp;w=767 767w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/OQS2TOW7BM7MXITX6XIOTQCPKI.JPG&amp;w=916 916w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/OQS2TOW7BM7MXITX6XIOTQCPKI.JPG&amp;w=1023 1023w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/OQS2TOW7BM7MXITX6XIOTQCPKI.JPG&amp;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/OQS2TOW7BM7MXITX6XIOTQCPKI.JPG&amp;w=1440&amp;impolicy=high_res 1440w\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" \/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wpds-c-eIdkKJ wpds-c-eIdkKJ-iPJLV-css\">Hercules, left, and Ned prepare for another shift of work with wildlife specialist Chris Keyser. (Rich-Joseph Facun for The Washington Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"5WVRUFCYNJD6XPQHLV252DERDQ\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"12\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\"><b>6:49 a.m.<\/b> Keyser arrives in the pre-security departures hall a few minutes after the first plane of the day, a Chicago-bound United flight, has lifted off. He dashes outside to grab a biscuit from a friend who asks if, in return, he can say hello to the dogs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"HLGKHGQJNBBM3IJ7DO5VWOMSB4\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"13\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">Unfortunately, Hercules and Ned have not clocked in yet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"NIF5FDPX7BAYZFCXAZFMB4OCXY\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"14\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\"><b>7:04 a.m. <\/b>In a back office inside the Airport Response Coordination Center, a creature stirs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"MVKHVFYOX5CFJBFUN4XUN4HQHI\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"15\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">\u201cI can see a little nose,\u201d says Keyser, peering through a crack in the blinds covering the door to their den.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"WNW6SGN7IJB7PHFF7YH3ASHSNM\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"16\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">Hercules and Ned live at the airport full-time, in an all-white room furnished with dog beds and kennels, hooks for their leashes, harnesses, pilot hats and coats, and a shrine to them. Portraits by admirers adorn the walls, and a display case contains military patches that soldiers traded in exchange for a Wildlife Patrol CRW badge embossed with a cartoon image of the pups.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV wpds-c-PJLV-frkFWN-isCenteredLayoutAd-true wpds-c-PJLV-bHCGeL-isStandardLayoutAd-true article-body type-inline-ad subtype-desktop grid-full-bleed\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"cb w-100 dn db-ns\" data-qa=\"article-body-ad\" data-testid=\"article-body-ad-desktop\" data-slotid=\"enterprise_4\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_\/701\/desktop_web\/article\/incontent_4_1\" width=\"0\" height=\"0\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"QKV4HK7X4FHQXJFDP4QBIPSIHU\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"17\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">After a breakfast of kibble and fish oil, Keyser says the magic words: \u201cAre you ready to run some birds?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-header grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<h2 id=\"27BQ5OL4BFFULE63DVQ332XQRE\" class=\"wpds-c-XIGbK wpds-c-XIGbK-iivLrAs-css headingStyleOverrides\" data-apitype=\"header\" data-contentid=\"27BQ5OL4BFFULE63DVQ332XQRE\" data-testid=\"article-header\" data-scroll-pos=\"18\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">First runs of the day<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV wpds-c-PJLV-hQpAdy-isCenteredLayoutFullBleedImg-true article-body type-image subtype-StaffPhoto grid-full-bleed size-large\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-klfsiG\">\n<figure class=\"wpds-c-oragq wpds-c-oragq-iPJLV-css\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<div id=\"CDHTVJEQ4MEINUTB3F4PO7FTTA\" class=\"wpds-c-hQNCQc wpds-c-hQNCQc-dvUqIX-hasCaption-true\"><img class=\"wpds-c-fCbEVg wpds-c-fCbEVg-iriwMv-css\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 440px,(max-width: 768px) 691px,(max-width: 1023px) 916px,(max-width: 1199px) 1200px,(min-width: 1200px) 1440px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/CDHTVJEQ4MEINUTB3F4PO7FTTA.JPG&amp;w=440 400w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/CDHTVJEQ4MEINUTB3F4PO7FTTA.JPG&amp;w=540 540w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/CDHTVJEQ4MEINUTB3F4PO7FTTA.JPG&amp;w=691 691w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/CDHTVJEQ4MEINUTB3F4PO7FTTA.JPG&amp;w=767 767w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/CDHTVJEQ4MEINUTB3F4PO7FTTA.JPG&amp;w=916 916w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/CDHTVJEQ4MEINUTB3F4PO7FTTA.JPG&amp;w=1023 1023w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/CDHTVJEQ4MEINUTB3F4PO7FTTA.JPG&amp;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/CDHTVJEQ4MEINUTB3F4PO7FTTA.JPG&amp;w=1440&amp;impolicy=high_res 1440w\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" \/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wpds-c-eIdkKJ wpds-c-eIdkKJ-iPJLV-css\">Keyser patrols the airport in his SUV, with Ned and Hercules in tow. (Rich-Joseph Facun for The Washington Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"K6F6XPFE65EM7KGEFXQI5Y3OFQ\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"19\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\"><b>7:30 a.m.<\/b> Hercules and Ned jump into the back seat of a white SUV emblazoned with a logo of the goggled dogs \u2014 the same graphic that appears on the back of Keyser\u2019s hoodie and the patches as well as the magnets and mugs sold in the airport gift shop. (Some of the products predate Ned and feature only Hercules.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"B23COL4NXZFULBNQGI5HTWCQKM\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"20\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">Inside the vehicle, the air conditioning blasting on a crisp April morning, Keyser describes the four seasons through the lens of a border collie.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"HFJ3NBCUH5FKZDEH2XBOD5QEC4\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"21\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">In the spring, when migratory birds are flying north, the dogs can disperse flocks of up to 200 crows, rafters of turkeys and nimbus clouds of starlings, one of the most dangerous hazards for planes. If starlings make contact with an aircraft, Keyser said it is like \u201cgetting hit with a shotgun.\u201d April rains turn the grassy airfield into an all-you-can-eat buffet for birds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"NK35KIGO25HRVOSJQ5WB5UBN4Y\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"22\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">\u201cIf we make it unpleasant, they won\u2019t want to come here to eat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV wpds-c-PJLV-hQpAdy-isCenteredLayoutFullBleedImg-true article-body type-image subtype-StaffPhoto grid-full-bleed size-large\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-klfsiG\">\n<figure class=\"wpds-c-oragq wpds-c-oragq-iPJLV-css\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<div id=\"SYOKZIDRAKB7V3AEHV65YQIHEQ\" class=\"wpds-c-hQNCQc wpds-c-hQNCQc-dvUqIX-hasCaption-true\"><img class=\"wpds-c-fCbEVg wpds-c-fCbEVg-iriwMv-css\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 440px,(max-width: 768px) 691px,(max-width: 1023px) 916px,(max-width: 1199px) 1200px,(min-width: 1200px) 1440px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/SYOKZIDRAKB7V3AEHV65YQIHEQ.JPG&amp;w=440 400w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/SYOKZIDRAKB7V3AEHV65YQIHEQ.JPG&amp;w=540 540w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/SYOKZIDRAKB7V3AEHV65YQIHEQ.JPG&amp;w=691 691w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/SYOKZIDRAKB7V3AEHV65YQIHEQ.JPG&amp;w=767 767w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/SYOKZIDRAKB7V3AEHV65YQIHEQ.JPG&amp;w=916 916w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/SYOKZIDRAKB7V3AEHV65YQIHEQ.JPG&amp;w=1023 1023w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/SYOKZIDRAKB7V3AEHV65YQIHEQ.JPG&amp;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/SYOKZIDRAKB7V3AEHV65YQIHEQ.JPG&amp;w=1440&amp;impolicy=high_res 1440w\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" \/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wpds-c-eIdkKJ wpds-c-eIdkKJ-iPJLV-css\">Ned, left, and Hercules wait for another flock of birds or other wildlife to chase. (Rich-Joseph Facun for The Washington Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"CIDCMHXRZZDJHFYYC2WT3FGBNQ\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"23\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">Summer slows down, as birds seek shade from the heat. Fall picks up with birds of prey, such as barn and screech owls and red-tail hawks. On gusty days, upward of 50 turkey vultures can surf the wind currents overhead. Anytime of the year, the dogs might come across a whitetail deer, coyote or turtle, which can derail a taxiing plane.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"3CXRLJ3QEVF2LMNPNLLW2LE7RU\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"24\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\"><b>7:45 a.m.<\/b> Before driving onto the airfield, Keyser calls the air-traffic control tower to check in. Ned, upon hearing a voice crackle over the radio, joins the conversation, whining and barking.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"Z4EBOSZTQZHQBMQXG4T4KWZKLQ\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"25\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">Keyser runs the dogs on all four taxiways, plus the perimeter and the one runway, totaling five or six miles a day. Though the 767-acre airport is small \u2014 it served 423,000 passengers last year, nearly 106 million fewer than Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport \u2014 it can be busy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"JCSAVDBLDZE4HIHCQ2DSAIFAMU\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"26\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">In addition to three major airlines and one budget carrier, CRW serves the West Virginia Air National Guard\u2019s 130th Airlift Wing; private jets, military and cargo planes from the Capital Jet Center; and Marshall University\u2019s flight school.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"2X2MQGXSLZABFPZF7CEML6GUQ4\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"27\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\"><b>7:50 a.m. <\/b>On their first lap, the dogs speed by a parking lot of C-130 Hercules aircraft, the namesake of the elder border collie. (Keyser had tried to rename Ned, but the young pup ignored any commands directed at \u201cCharlie.\u201d)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV wpds-c-PJLV-hQpAdy-isCenteredLayoutFullBleedImg-true article-body type-image subtype-StaffPhoto grid-full-bleed size-large\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-klfsiG\">\n<figure class=\"wpds-c-oragq wpds-c-oragq-iPJLV-css\" data-testid=\"article-image\">\n<div id=\"DP6IRKF3T67Z7WEXDHIBXCX3FE\" class=\"wpds-c-hQNCQc wpds-c-hQNCQc-dvUqIX-hasCaption-true\"><img class=\"wpds-c-fCbEVg wpds-c-fCbEVg-iriwMv-css\" sizes=\"(max-width: 440px) 440px,(max-width: 768px) 691px,(max-width: 1023px) 916px,(max-width: 1199px) 1200px,(min-width: 1200px) 1440px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/DP6IRKF3T67Z7WEXDHIBXCX3FE.JPG&amp;w=440 400w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/DP6IRKF3T67Z7WEXDHIBXCX3FE.JPG&amp;w=540 540w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/DP6IRKF3T67Z7WEXDHIBXCX3FE.JPG&amp;w=691 691w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/DP6IRKF3T67Z7WEXDHIBXCX3FE.JPG&amp;w=767 767w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/DP6IRKF3T67Z7WEXDHIBXCX3FE.JPG&amp;w=916 916w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/DP6IRKF3T67Z7WEXDHIBXCX3FE.JPG&amp;w=1023 1023w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/DP6IRKF3T67Z7WEXDHIBXCX3FE.JPG&amp;w=1200 1200w,https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/wp-apps\/imrs.php?src=https:\/\/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com\/wapo\/DP6IRKF3T67Z7WEXDHIBXCX3FE.JPG&amp;w=1440&amp;impolicy=high_res 1440w\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"480\" \/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wpds-c-eIdkKJ wpds-c-eIdkKJ-iPJLV-css\">Hercules, left, and Ned wait for a command at CRW as Keyser checks the perimeter of the property. (Rich-Joseph Facun for The Washington Post)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"UIPHN3UC7RHANATYM2DR6JLJQA\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"28\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">\u201cShake \u2019em out. Flush \u2019em out. Get the stubborn ones,\u201d Keyser shouted at the blur of fur. \u201cLook, look, look. Look, look, look. Shh, shh, shh.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-custom_embed subtype-magnet grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-czKEZ wpds-c-czKEZ-iPJLV-css hide-for-print\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV wpds-c-PJLV-kqOWxF-displayType-desktop\" data-qa=\"inline-magnet\" data-testid=\"inline-magnet\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-cFpcyF\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-cmpvrW\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-ioDwQx\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"group\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-testid=\"inline-magnet-carousel-content\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-feEbKl wpds-c-feEbKl-igjZdiI-css\" data-rte-surface=\"article_recirc_40-desktop\" data-rte-request-id=\"collections-8ac73477-3855-410b-aee9-be7f0f4e75ef\" data-rte-module-category=\"auto_collect\" data-rte-module-position=\"40\" data-rte-activated=\"true\">\n<div id=\"rvIc7-item1\" class=\"wpds-c-lnwwct\" role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"article-heading-1\" data-rte-articleid=\"BUNSRW6PZNAB3CVRGAHI2X2AOI\" aria-label=\"2 of 10\" aria-hidden=\"false\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-rte-position=\"1\" data-rte-total-time=\"5\" data-rte-start-time=\"74\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-gxpjir wpds-c-gxpjir-duJaot-lastItem-true\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-cGlEFx\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-bkcQVO\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-iwXJOF\" data-qa=\"card-headline\" data-testid=\"card-headline\"><span class=\"wpds-c-cAFeXq wpds-c-cAFeXq-iqRxmn-css\" data-qa=\"card-headline-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">So many birds are migrating that they\u2019re appearing on weather radar<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"rvIc7-item4\" class=\"wpds-c-lnwwct\" role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"article-heading-4\" data-rte-articleid=\"UH225JXBL5FW7J4GDDUSORL3NI\" aria-label=\"5 of 10\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-rte-position=\"4\" data-rte-total-time=\"0\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-gxpjir wpds-c-gxpjir-duJaot-lastItem-true\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-cGlEFx\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-bkcQVO\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-iwXJOF\" data-qa=\"card-headline\" data-testid=\"card-headline\"><span class=\"wpds-c-cAFeXq wpds-c-cAFeXq-iqRxmn-css\" data-qa=\"card-headline-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"rvIc7-item9\" class=\"wpds-c-lnwwct\" role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"article-heading-9\" data-rte-articleid=\"XGY6U6TOUFGLFOM44LQ2O7AX6M\" aria-label=\"10 of 10\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-rte-position=\"9\" data-rte-total-time=\"0\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-gxpjir wpds-c-gxpjir-gGWnZZ-lastItem-false\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-cGlEFx\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-bkcQVO\">\n<div class=\"wpds-c-iwXJOF\" data-qa=\"card-headline\" data-testid=\"card-headline\"><span class=\"wpds-c-cAFeXq wpds-c-cAFeXq-iqRxmn-css\" data-qa=\"card-headline-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Some prep for bear invasions, but little environmental policy expected at G&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-bASIGw wpds-c-bASIGw-icgvfAH-css\" data-testid=\"timestamp\">June 17, 2025<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-JxjdN wpds-c-JxjdN-igXJmYW-css\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-custom_embed subtype-magnet grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text grid-center grid-body\" data-qa=\"article-body\">\n<p class=\"wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy\" dir=\"null\" data-apitype=\"text\" data-contentid=\"MCSZUQASCZDRDJYU5YU7ZB653M\" data-el=\"text\" data-scroll-pos=\"30\" data-scroll-measured=\"true\">\u201cGood job!\u201d Keyser shouts, their reward for being such good dogs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The hardest-working staff at the airport? These two good boys. Border collies Hercules and Ned help protect planes and passengers from bird strikes. We spent a day with the local celebrities at work. Yesterday at 5:00 a.m. EDT Ned, left, and Hercules take a break from work at the West Virginia International Yeager Airport, where [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sterlingcooper.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sterlingcooper.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sterlingcooper.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sterlingcooper.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sterlingcooper.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1109"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.sterlingcooper.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1111,"href":"https:\/\/www.sterlingcooper.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1109\/revisions\/1111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sterlingcooper.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sterlingcooper.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sterlingcooper.info\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}