Pros
Working an Explosive Detection Canine. Learning a new way to handle a canine from what I was previously used to . Compensation is good as a handler. The deployed guys make above average and the stateside guys make a fair wage for the work.
Cons
The monthly stipend- the type of canine the company deploys requires daily training. That said, I had to travel to different locations to get in the amount of training required to remain proficient. The very small monthly stipend didn't come close to covering my expenses or time. But honestly if I got into Canine to get rich I would need to find a different job I suppose. Communication was not very good between handlers and management. Scheduling was very- very lax. By the time you get scheduled to do something it was virtually the very next day they needed it which is difficult at times. If you ever leave MSA, you're screwed. This is the oddest thing actually- regardless of the reason(s)- it is very difficult to get back on with the company for those of us who didn't leave on bad terms or who would want to. Lastly, the one things that really bothered me, is they hold the dog over the handlers head. It is treated like a piece of equipment rather than what it is- a bonded living breathing animal and it just back in rotation like all the others and that is sad.
