Al Brittain

Labrador Retrievers In Combat As IED Detector Dogs

One of the best Military Working Dog articles I’ve seen is in the Marine Corps Times today, and this one’s about a very specific subset of MWDs – Labrador Retrievers who are trained to work off leash as Improvised Explosive Device Detector Dogs.

Marines train at the K2 facilities near Marston, N.C., to use bomb sniffing dogs. The dogs work off the leash and will be assigned to the same Marine for the whole deployment to Afghanistan.

“Dogs becoming essential in fight against IEDs”

Doesn’t pull any punches in describing how dangerous a job this is or how tough life can be for these dogs, but also gives you a real look at how much their handlers love the dogs and the relationship they have.

“The Marines Wanted a Manly Dog”

Pfc. James Burns plays with service dog Finn at the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Detachment, Camp Kaneohe, Hawaii.Pfc. James Burns plays with service dog Finn at the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Detachment, Camp Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Hey, how about something a lot more fun and upbeat than yesterday’s depressing post about the VA (one of these days I hope to be able to write about them and have a good feeling instead of the bad one I always get now).

Marines Love Service Dogs!

Check out this fantastic picture of a Marine two-star CCI puppy raiser and puppy (click on the picture for the giant version):

cci-dog-bogie-with-gen-mike-regner-watermarked


OK, I’m lying about the puppy raiser part, but the picture is very real.

That’s MGen(sel) Mike Regner, the Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, visiting with Bogie, a Canine Companions for Independence assistance dog in training, at a recent function in DC.  You can read Gen Regner’s full biography here:


  • About Me

    p1000219-facebook-editI'm very active with Canine Companions for Independence as a former member of the Veterans Task Force and puppy raiser. Retired US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with my last assignments at the Air Force Academy as the Fourth Group Sergeant Major and Dean of Faculty Superintendent.


    I'm actively looking for a paid position doing what I already do full-time as a volunteer.


    Read More About Me

  • Subscribe via RSS

  • Subscribe via E-Mail

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

  • Categories

  • Disclaimer

    This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Canine Companions for Independence or any other assistance dog organization, and the views and opinions stated here are strictly my own.