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The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) is going to the dogs — literally. The agency recently launched its first K-9 unit to perform random searches on light-rail vehicles and buses.

Pearl, a black Labrador retriever, and Transit Police Division Officer John Blair recently completed a 10-week training course at Alabama’s Auburn University Canine Detection Training Center.

After last July’s London transit bombings, TriMet partnered with the Port of Portland K-9 unit and Federal Protective Services to increase security presence throughout the system.

“We found that the K-9 unit enhanced our security efforts and brought us specific skills in explosive detection that will help us maintain the safety and integrity of our system,” said TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen in a prepared statement.

The agency plans to add up to two more K-9 units to the system.