PUYALLUP, Wash. – Dogs, dogs and more dogs were lined up in rows at the Puyallup Fair’s animal barn. This was no kennel; rather these dogs were on display and on their best behavior as crowds of people came to see them. The military canine was one of the highlights on Sept. 7, the opening…
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Alisha M. Vidal, left, releases her military working dog, Dini, on U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Caleb M. Owens June 8 at the 1st Republic of Korea Marine Division base in Pohang, South Korea. A group of ROK Marines received a presentation by U.S. Marine military working dog handlers to demonstrate the…
DAEGU, South Korea – Eleven Soldiers across Camp Henry volunteered at “Hana’s Animal Shelter,” located in Palgong mountain, June 7. Using teamwork, they trimmed, washed and cleaned the shelter’s dogs for five hours. This volunteer project was planned by the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and Lee Gwang-han, a participant in the unit’s Good Neighbor Program,…
FORT POLK, La. – Man’s best friend. Fido. Spot. Whatever you may call them, having a dog by your side is as American to some as apple pie. And while a rifle may be a Soldier’s best friend in most cases, for Sgt. Alfonzo Sanchez, his best friend is Cuki, a military working dog (MWD).…
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — Once military working dogs retire from service, they are placed in an adoption program that finds them a permanent home, said Rodney Sparkowich, the adoption disposition coordinator for the 341st Training Squadron. “Basically when a dog’s service life has come to pretty much the end and they’re ready to…
BAGHDAD — The olfactory capabilities of man’s best friend, canis familiaris — dogs, that is — are well-known and have been used by law enforcement to detect illicit drugs for decades. Soldiers with the 2nd “Dagger” Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, are hoping to impress upon Iraqi Security…
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Marines with 1st Law Enforcement Battalion and local community members gathered at the Military Working Dog Kennel here to witness a man adopt his late son’s K-9 partner. Salvador Diaz, father of Staff Sgt. Christopher Diaz, a dog handler with III Marine Expeditionary Force, adopted a military working…
MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. — The saying goes that a dog is a man’s best friend, but in the eyes of the Provost Marshal’s Office dog handlers here, military working dogs are considered fellow warriors. Therefore, Marines treat their military working dogs the way they would a fellow Marine. One…
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – Few bonds compare to the one that exists between a man and a canine, and the success of military working dogs and their handlers often depends on that bond. Military working dog handlers appreciate the importance of building a partnership with their assigned dog, knowing the sooner trust exists…
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE,N.C. – Some individuals know exactly what they want to pursue as a career when they grow up, and others ponder the decision for years to come. For military working dog handler, Cpl. David Alviar, Headquarters Support Battalion, the choice was clear. “Being a dog handler is why I became a…