Natrona County International Airport's latest security device has four legs and a habit of chewing on his own leash.

Wilco, a 2-year-old, bomb-sniffing black Labrador, began patrolling the airport at the end of July. He's trained to detect about 20 different explosives, from black powder to TNT.

"If he hits on something, he sits," said Sarah Tischer, a public safety officer at the airport and Wilco's handler.

Wilco is the first explosives-sniffing dog at the airport, one of only four in the state and the only dog of his type outside Cheyenne, Tischer said. His duties including checking the terminal and security area, as well as luggage.

"He's a very good, well-behaved dog," Tischer said.

In a demonstration of his abilities, Wilco quickly sat and stared forward upon detecting a suspicious odor. If it hadn't been a demonstration, bomb technicians would have been called in to deal with the threat.

Wilco is trained to sniff only for explosives. He doesn't detect drugs, nor is he trained as a police dog.

In addition to patrolling the airport, Wilco and Tischer are trained to respond to bomb incidents - such as suspicious packages - throughout the state.

Until recently, Wyoming was home to only a pair of bomb-sniffing dogs. The Department of Homeland Security wanted to add more and chose Tischer to be Wilco's handler because she had expressed interest in the program.

Wilco and Tischer were both trained in detecting explosives threats at the Vom Kaiserhofe dog training center in Lawrence, Kan. Wilco lives with Tischer, and the two are together constantly, she said.

"These dogs are only trained by one person," she explained. "He'll be with me the rest of his life."

Tischer admitted she had to get used to being with Wilco all the time. But she enjoys his company.

"He's a fun dog," she said. "He likes to play. He doesn't rest a lot."

Reach Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@casperstartribune.net.