Bonus Slideshow: The Working Dog Center

Bomb-sniffing! Search-and-rescue! Cancer detection! Tucked away in an industrial park in Southwest Philly, a team of dedicated researchers, trainers and volunteers runs a one-of-a-kind center that trains dogs to do amazing things.

By Sandy Hingston· 8/27/2014, 3:27 p.m.

Enjoy these behind-the-scenes shots from the Working Dog Center, featured in “This Puppy Could Save Your Life” in the September 2014 Philadelphia magazine.

These Pups Could Save Your Life: Photography by Joseph Balestra

At 10 weeks, Felony fearlessly scales an inclined plane at the Penn Working Dog Center.

Quest atop the rubble pile outside the center in April.

The rear of training manager Pat Kaynaroglu’s car, packed for a field trip.

Logan zeroes in on a volunteer hiding in the rubble pile.

After a hard day’s work, Felony takes a well-deserved break in the kiddie pool.

Quest and canine cop Bob Dougherty training for bite work.

At eight weeks, Felony is already learning to respond to commands.

Logan at 10 weeks, waiting for his trainer’s next order.

Quest has a perennially “What’d I do?” puppy face.

Trainer Jonathan Ball with Quest, who still believes he’s a lap dog.

Logan at work—or is it play?—on the rubble pile.

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