Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- handler / ˈhænd lər / (n.) – a person who trains or manages animals, especially dogs
Example:It takes a lot of patience to be a good animal handler.
- nuisance / ˈnu səns / (n.) – a person, thing, or situation causing problems or that is annoying
Example:Farmers often have to deal with insects that are a nuisance because they damage their crops.
- the reins / ðə reɪnz / (idiom) – the power or control over something
Example:After the manager retired, the assistant manager quickly took the reins of the project.
- kennel / ˈkɛn l / (n.) – a place that breeds and trains dogs, or cares for dogs when their owners are away
Example:The dogs were prepared at the kennel to help the police locate suspects and search for evidence.
- venture / ˈvɛn tʃər / (v.) – to go or move to a place that could be dangerous
Example:If you are venturing into the forest, it’s best not to go on your own.
Article
Read the text below.
Two border collies named Hercules and Ned have quite the spacious office at West Virginia’s busiest airport. The border collies and their handler make daily patrols along the mile-long airfield to ensure birds and other wildlife stay away from planes and keep passengers and crew safe. Hercules is also the chief ambassador, soaking in affection from passengers inside the terminal while calming some nervously waiting to board a flight at West Virginia International Yeager Airport.
Chris Keyser, the dogs’ handler and the airport’s wildlife specialist, said preventing a bird from hitting a plane “can make a difference for someone’s life.” Collisions between wildlife and planes are common at airports nationwide. With that in mind, Yeager management in 2018 bought Hercules at the recommendation of a wildlife biologist.
Hercules spent the first 18 months of his life training to herd geese and sheep around his birthplace at Charlotte, North Carolina-based Flyaway Geese, which teaches border collies to help businesses address nuisance wildlife problems.
When Hercules stepped onto Charleston’s airfield for the first time, “I held my breath,” Flyaway Geese owner Rebecca Gibson said. “But boy, he took hold of the reins. It was his place.”
“He’s done an amazing job and has just been a great dog for them. We’re very proud of him.”
Now 8, Hercules has some help. Ned was 2 when he was welcomed into the fold last year from another kennel where he trained to herd goats and geese. Ned has shadowed Hercules, following commands from Keyser and learning safety issues such as not venturing onto the runway.
About 19,000 strikes involving planes and wildlife occurred at U.S. airports in 2023, of which 95% involved birds, according to a Federal Aviation Administration database. From 1988 to 2023, wildlife collisions in the U.S. killed 76 people and destroyed 126 aircraft.
At the Charleston airport, wildlife-plane incidents vary each year from a few to a couple of dozen.
“Anytime a plane hits a bird, it has to be inspected, and it causes a delay in the flight,” Keyser said. “And sometimes you don’t make your connecting flights. So, that’s how important it is to keep everything going smooth.”
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- At West Virginia International Yeager Airport, border collies like Hercules and Ned help keep planes safe by ensuring birds and other wildlife stay away. Do you think using animals for jobs like this is a good idea? Why or why not? Discuss.
- If you could give animals any job to help humans, what would it be? What would be great about having animals do these jobs, and what might be some challenges? Discuss.
Discussion B
- Ned, the younger dog, learned his job by “shadowing” Hercules and following commands from his handler. How important do you think it is for new employees or trainees to learn from more experienced people? Discuss.
- Do you prefer to learn by watching or by trying things yourself? Why? Discuss.
