PHOTOS: See The Furry New Recruits To NYC's War On Terror

NEW YORK, NY — Five of the MTA's newest four-legged protectors graduated from an intense training course and are ready to report for duty to patrol the city's rail lines.

The bomb-sniffing dogs were awarded their badges during a ceremony held in Grand Central Terminal. The new recruits are the best of the best, the MTA said, only one in 30 dogs are skilled enough to pass the intense training.

"The MTA PD canine unit is crucial to our counter-terrorism efforts and keeping the public safe," Acting MTA Chief of Police Joseph McGrann said in a statement. "Our canine officer teams maintain a watchful presence over the MTA’s entire system every hour of every day, patrolling our stations, platforms, trains and parking lots."

Training includes a 12-week explosive detection course at the MTA's facility in Dutchess County, New York, the MTA said. The 72-acre facility is the only mass transit specific training center in the nation. While at training camp, the dogs trained in both indoor and outdoor facilities as well as obstacle courses, according to the MTA.

Dogs selected for the training are typically German Shepherds, Belgian Shepherd or shepherd mixes and usually a little older than 1-year-old. The animals that pass the training course can work for as man as nine years, living at their officers' home during their time of service.

All of the new canine officers are named in honor of fallen police officers, firefighters and United States military members.

Meet the city's newest canine protectors (info courtesy MTA):

• Police Officer Salvatore Surletti and Canine Goose, honoring FDNY Lieutenant & USAF Master Sgt. Christopher Raguso
• Police Officer Tommy Long and Canine JD, honoring NYPD ESU Police Officer John D’Allara
• Police Officer Richard Denicker and Canine Chris, honoring NYPD Sergeant Christopher Christodoulou
• Police Officer Ashley Torres and Canine Artie, honoring Nassau County ESU Police Officer Arthur Lopez
• Police Officer Daniel Bradbury and Canine Joey, honoring FDNY Firefighter Joseph Henry