JUNE 21, 2017, SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) – Dogs are considered man’s best friend. They have been human companions for hundreds of years – and that’s a bond that remains unbroken. Military working dogs are among the unsung heroes of the military and play an important role from therapy dogs supporting service members and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder to military working dogs supporting operations on and off the battlefield. In the Air Force, their natural skills directly augment members serving in security forces squadrons around the world.
One of the most crucial MWD missions in a deployed environment is explosive detection. Despite modern advances in metal detectors and blast-protected vehicles, dogs are the irreplaceable first line of defense with their expert sense of smell, while their mere presence brings a psychological deterrent to the enemy.
The real story of the contributions these four-legged Airmen make, however, is invisible. A powerful bond between canine and handler grows stronger with every interaction in order to provide safety and security for thousands of lives day in and day out.
Senior Airmen Carlton Isaacson and Omar Araujo are military working dog handlers assigned to the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
For the past two years, Isaacson has partnered with an 8-year-old German shepherd named Egon, while Araujo has been joined by German shepherd Syrius for more than a year.
In the unusual human and animal duos, attention to detail, care, trust, and communication are the keys to mission success, Isaacson said.
“Being a canine handler is an around the clock job,” he said. “Off-duty time is commonly spent training, cleaning kennels or taking our dogs to the vet for routine appointments or emergencies.”
The bond between dog and handler isn’t always immediate, however. Repetition and effort close the gap between the partners, but it’s the long hours and determination that solidifies the emotional bond they build. Dogs get extremely attached to their handlers so when a new handler is assigned to them they both have to adjust old tendencies and habits from previous partners.
“Egon can be extremely stubborn at times; when we were first assigned together I had to make every move with extreme caution,” Isaacson said. “One of the requirements to become a certified dog team is for a handler to be able to carry the dog and Egon wasn’t having it. After many long days and different types of training, the bond between us could never be stronger and I can carry him for miles now.”
Locking in that trust is a huge part of what MWD handlers have worked toward when first introduced to their dog. Hours, days, weeks, and months are spent trying to become a close-knit team.
Once built, the bond is difficult to break. When Araujo first met Syrius, it was with his old handler and the connection between the two that made for a slow transition between handlers.
“Every time she left the room, Syrius would sit and stare through the door, waiting for his best friend to come through the door again,” Araujo added. “That’s what I wanted and that’s what I continue to strive for every day with Syrius.”
Handlers have to find ways to build relationships and trust with the dogs as they become partnered together. It’s an ongoing task to maintain the bond between the two.
“What I enjoyed most were those quiet moments when all the training was done for the day and after a long walk I could just sit in Syrius’s kennel for hours while he relaxed and napped,” Araujo said. “I would listen to music, read books or even watch movies until he knew I was the last person he saw at night and the first every morning.
There’s no book telling you how to build this bond with your dog,” he continued. “A lot of it is a feeling out process, some days we gained a lot of ground and others we went backward, but I was confident in our partnership.”
Communication is important in any relationship but it’s lifesaving in combat zones. Not being able to verbally communicate with their partners, dog handlers have to become cognizant of every move and reaction their canines give them to effectively work as a cohesive unit. Learning each other’s temperament and personality plays a huge role in the relationship between dog and handler.
“You have to be able to read your dog in any situation. Knowing what kind of mood your dog is in before and after work,” Araujo said. “Like people, they have bad days and if you’re unable to recognize that you can be endangering his well-being and the team’s effectiveness. The more we’re together, the more I learn about Syrius like his behavior, his breathing, heart rate and his working and resting body temperatures.”
MWD handlers also go through an extensive week-long class on veterinary care for real-world incidents to help care for and minimize damage to their dog. They schedule and take their canines to veterinary check-ups and administer medicine when needed. Not only do they take care of an Air Force asset, but also their four-legged wingman.
“Being a handler is challenging, but I can honestly say that I love every minute of it,” Isaacson said. “This has been one of the most rewarding positions I’ve had in my Air Force career.
At the end of the day, I’m going to transition back into normal security forces operations, but I’m confident that our dogs will be taken care of by some of the hardest working defenders in the Air Force.”
By Tech. Sgt. Andy M. Kin, 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs