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The bald eagle, chosen by the Founding Fathers in 1782 as our national emblem, symbolizes pride, strength and protection—qualities that undoubtedly inspired the name of this four-year-old black Labrador Retriever who serves on the frontlines of national security. As part of the Allied Universal® Enhanced Protection Services’ fleet of Detection Canine Teams, Eagle screens air cargo for explosives alongside his handler, Diana Rodriguez. The pair is stationed at a major cargo hub in California where Diana says Eagle lives up to his name every day by tenaciously sniffing out threats with a superior sense of smell that rivals an eagle’s legendary sharp eyesight.
Diana and Eagle completed comprehensive training three years ago at the company’s state-of-the-art facility in Windsor, CT. “We connected quickly. It was easy to see Eagle’s skills and intelligence right from the start, and I’m grateful that he is my partner. I couldn’t ask for better,” Diana explains. Eagle mastered detecting all five families of military and commercial-grade explosives, including homemade explosives. The team also received deployment-specific training under the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Third-Party Canine Program (3PK9), enabling them to screen cargo up to 10 times faster than traditional methods. Teams like Diana and Eagle consistently meet rigorous certification standards throughout their careers with Allied Universal, undergoing strict evaluations by independent third-party assessors. Their explosive and firearms detection skills are validated against the national and international standards set by the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) and the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Odor Recognition Test (DOJ NORT), ensuring they are effective and reliable in real-world conditions.
Before joining Allied Universal, Diana worked in event security and served several years in the U.S. Army, enlisting at the age of 22. As a culinary specialist, she was responsible for preparing meals, inspecting food supplies and maintaining a sanitary kitchen. Deployed to Afghanistan, Diana credits her military training for shaping the qualities that make her a strong handler today. “I joined the military with a sense of duty and a desire to make a difference. My time in service instilled discipline, attention to detail and resilience—skills I rely on every day in explosive detection,” she says.
All Allied Universal canines are paired with a single handler and live with their handler’s family, which strengthens the bond through daily training and companionship. At home, Eagle seamlessly fits into Diana’s busy household, which includes two children, another dog, a cat, a guinea pig and a bearded dragon! “When we come home after working, Eagle is always excited to play with the kids and his furry pals,” Diana says with a smile. “He’s much more than my partner at work; he’s a big part of our family.”
