TSA dog at Hobby Airport named after officer who disappeared during Sept. 11 attacks

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Jurgens, an explosives detection canine for the Transportation Security Administration at Houston's Hobby Airport, loves her job. She flashed a big smile for the camera recently, and her photo was shared on Instagram where people immediately fell in love.

The yellow Labrador retriever has an interesting back story about her name. She is named after Paul Jurgens, a New York Port Authority police officer who disappeared during the Sept. 11 attacks trying to rescue people from the World Trade Center.

Jurgens went through the TSA Puppy Program at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio where they took in fostered puppies between the ages of 9 weeks and 12 months to local families.

According to the TSA, foster families would supply the puppies with a "well-rounded, socialized and nurturing environment." When the pups would reach 12 months, they would be returned to the TSA for their final training and evaluations.

In 2015, a former canine volunteer from the puppy training program Katie Garoni was traveling through Hobby Airport. She noticed a dog and realized it was the same puppy she socialized in 2012 in San Antonio.

It was a cute moment that Garoni captured and shared on social media.

"Ran into my working girl Jurgens! I never thought I would see her again, but this TSA dog is all grown up. Her handler got to watch me burst into tears when he confirmed it was her. Just incredible," Garoni wrote.

Jurgens is one of hundreds of TSA dogs working to keep transportation systems safe at Hobby Airport.

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