http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/military-9863-dogs-ceremony.html

Military monument goes to the dogs (with VIDEO)

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August 01, 2008 8:42 PM

Mona Moore

Daily News

Five of military's finest were honored Friday with a retirement ceremony at the Air Force Armament Museum.

The ceremony was louder than usual, with an audience of the four-legged variety contributing to speeches and applause. But who could fault them?

The ceremony celebrated the careers of five military working dogs: Jacco, Deny, Blesk, Max and Marco.

It also honored K-9 units from law enforcement and the military with the dedication and unveiling of the museum's newest addition, a bronze monument.

"Faithful Partner - Guardian of the Night" was sculpted by Susan Bahary to honor and remember all working dogs, their handlers, trainers and veterinary staff.

"I hope ‘Faithful Partner -Guardian of the Night' does justice to all of our country's courageous and dedicated handlers and working dogs, and that it will be a source of healing and inspiration for generations to come," said Bahary.

"We owe a lot of dedication and support to dog teams," said Lt. Col. Timothy Meserve of Eglin Air Force Base. "They basically save people's lives."

"They're an invaluable asset to everything we're doing, both in the global war on terrorism and at home," added Maj. Keith Williams of Hurlburt Field. "Their impact is huge. Most people don't realize that."

Military dogs are trained to detect drugs and bombs. They also act as deterrents when on patrol.

"The way they detect it is with their nose. The way we detect it is by blowing it up," said Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Lind, Hurlburt Field's kennel dog master. "They're an invaluable tool in the field."

Most military dogs serve eight to 12 years before being adopted by military personnel.

"These dogs and handlers deploy as a two-person team to Afghanistan and Iraq and completely depend on one and other," said Kelly Hooker who headed fund-raising efforts for the $50,000 monument. "They have a strong bond - especially after deployment."

Volunteers worked for more than a year to bring the monument to the museum. They collected most of the $30,000 needed for the first phase of the monument from dog handlers nationwide.
Daily News Staff Writer Mona Moore can be reached at 863-1111, Ext. 1443

http://www.eglin.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123086686


(Rickey & I were very happy to play a small part in helping with the adoption of MWD Lex to Fallen K9 Handler Dustin Lee's Family.)

Man's best friend receives top honor

Posted 2/19/2008 Updated 2/19/2008 Email story Print story



by Staff Sgt. Stacia Zachary
96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

2/19/2008 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Military working dog handlers killed while supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom were honored in a ceremony at the Air Armament Museum Feb. 16. Also remembered are the military working dogs injured and killed in the line of duty.

One dog in particular was the center of attention. Lex, a German shepherd military working dog veteran, received a commemorative Purple Heart medal for the injuries he sustained in combat. Nearly a year ago his handler, Marine Corps Cpl. Dustin J. Lee, was killed while Lex was critically wounded in a mortar attack March 21, 2007, in Fallujah, Iraq. Never leaving his fallen master's side until battlefield medics separated the pair, Lex survived the attack but still has shrapnel in his back. While deployed, Lex's primary role while serving in the Global War on Terror was a bomb sniffer.

Lex was stabilized after several surgeries and returned to Albany, Ga., where he continued to recover from his wounds including 12 weeks of physical therapy. Before the attack, Corporal Lee had plans of adopting Lex after he was retired from his seven years of service. Those plans quickly changed after the mortar attack and Lex instead found himself training new military working dog recruits.

Knowing their late-son's wishes, Corporal Lee's family petitioned for eight months for the right to adopt Lex into their family. With the help Vietnam-era working dog handler John Burnam, the recovering K-9 was finally adopted and sent home to live with Corporal Lee's family in Mississippi just in time for Christmas, Dec. 21, 2007. Lex is the first Marine Corps Military Working Dog to ever be retired into the care of the deceased handler's family.

"To look into Lex's eyes is like seeing Dustin's spirit with him," said Rachel Lee, mother of the late Corporal Lee. "Every day he brings happiness back to our family. He lets us play with him, care for him and love him and in a very big way, we are still able to love our son. Having Lex with us now is the reason I can continue to have faith in this cause. He gives me strength."

The ceremony today served as a tribute to all military working dogs and the crucial role they play in supporting the military police and providing protection for servicemembers.

"These dogs are the greatest tool to have on the front lines," said Tech. Sgt. Gary King, 96th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler. "They save so many unsuspecting lives because they can tell where hidden caches of weapons are or hear an enemy hiding just steps away. They truly are heroes in every sense and I am proud to be a handler."

"Lex has an amazing spirit and he truly loves people," said Kelly Hooker, Discover K9 Dog Training owner in Walton County and coordinator for the military working dog ceremony. "He really is man's best friend and his is a story so many of our dogs share."

Mrs. Hooker and her husband, Staff Sgt. Rickey Hooker, a dog trainer with the 96th SFS, have also adopted a military working dog named Jacco.

Recently, a bill was passed unanimously by both the Senate and House of Representatives and signed by President George W. Bush authorizing the construction of a monument commemorating the military working dogs like Lex.

"It's an honor to have Lex as an icon for working dogs," said Mrs. Lee. "It is important we show respect for these war dogs and today is a wonderful way to acknowledge the devotion these dogs give so fully and faithfully."

Military working dogs have been officially in service since World War II under the Dogs for Defense program and more than 100, 000 have served in the defense of the United States of America.

Happy New Year 2010!!!

We hope everyone has enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season and is looking forward to 2010!

If you were given or purchased a new puppy for Christmas, we can help get you off to the right start with your training. We will be glad to speak to you about professional training that can begin as early as 16 weeks. Fortunately for you, your puppy is ready to learn a few things even at 8 to 16 weeks. You can work on things like crate-training, puppy manners, and leash training that will build a foundation for years to come.

Give us a call and we will be glad to discuss your puppy's needs. Remember your dog will be with you for the next 10+ years, take the time to invest in his future so you will all be happier.

Call us at 662-419-8718

or email at

kellyandrickey@yahoo.com

info@discovercanine.com

Kelly & Rickey Hooker

Protection Dogs
DISCOVER K9 can also locate and train a Family or Business Protection Dog to provide security for individuals, families with children, business professionals, corporations and anyone that would like to feel more safe and secure.

If you would like a dog to protect you and your family, we can help you find the perfect match. Protection dogs can be a great deterent to crime; but they have the skills and training necessary to back up their threatening appearance with force.

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Reference provided
IF we don't have what you are looking for, we can find a dog and train it for you.
We have 4 Belgian Malinois 1 year old dogs that have started Working Dog Training.
These dogs have been handled and socialized around adults and small children since birth. They show all the characteristics needed for Personal Protection Dogs.

Capone (pictured above) is capable of being trained as a Dual Purpose Police Dog.

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mailto:info@discovercanine.com

850-401-1265

Mississippi - Tennessee - Alabama Dog Obedience Training

Discover K9 Dog Training

Is happy to announce that we will soon be offering our unique and successful training to Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama.

We will be opening Discover K9 in Northern Mississippi.

Serving areas such as

Tupelo, MS

Oxford, MS

Memphis, TN

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and surrounding areas.

We Train All Breeds & All Temperaments.
In-House Training starts at 4 months - NO dog is ever TOO OLD to learn.
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Talk to us as your 1st Choice in Puppy Training or your Last Resort for you Problem Dog.
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You may also call our Florida business number and leave a message and we will call you back

850-401-1265

We look forward to working with clients in these areas.

Rickey & Kelly Hooker

Discover K9 Owners & Trainers

Extreme Aggression - Dog Behavior Modification

This is a video of Bokkie a 140 lbs South African Mastiff that came to us with EXTREME people-aggression.

How to Teach Children to Avoid Dog Bites

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT DOG BITES:

1. "My dog has NEVER bitten anyone, he is safe around kids." Just because a dog has never bitten anyone, doesnt mean that it won't ever. ALL DOGS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BITE, GIVEN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES. That point should always be remembered and especially taught to children. Children - especially small ones- should NEVER be left with any dog while unsupervised.

2. "My dog just bit my neighbor's child, should he be put to sleep?" or "My neighbor's dog just bit my toddler, I think it should be put to sleep." Just because a dog bites once, doesnt mean that it is a lost cause and should be put down. The dog is not always to blame; the circumstances have to be considered.

It is our responsibility as dog owners to be able to control our dogs regardless of what distractions are happening around him. It is also our responsibility to our dog to keep him out of situations that may cause problems.

For example, do not let children play rough with your dog. Your dog will naturally want to play rough too, but the dog will almost always be the one that gets in trouble.

Do not let strangers approach your dog without your approval. This includes strange dogs. It often seems like dog owners lose their common sense when it comes to socializing dogs. Last year we were at a doggy event with our 2 VERY friendly labs, but we kept them near us and out of other dogs faces and out of the faces of children. Even though we have never had a problem with either, we tried to use common sense and avoid any possible confrontations. One dog owner allowed her dogs to jump on ours and she laughed and said "I really like to socialize my dogs as much as possible." This is not the proper way to socialize a dog. This is the way to get your dog put in it's place by a more dominant or fearful dog.

Fortunately for her, we had complete control of our dogs and knew how to respond to the situation. But if our lab would have jumped on her smaller dog, I guarantee she would have considered herself blameless.

The same is true for children. We have to be vigilant as dog owners to not allow children to get in the face of our dogs. For the safety of the dogs and the children. The very things that children often do around dogs are the things that set dogs off and that is why so many children are bitten.

To humans, it is nice to smile and look each other in the eyes. To dogs, these things are threatening. Dogs are naturally pack animals - it is instinct. In a pack, the most dominant or pack leader will stare at the less dominant dogs. The less dominant will look away; if not, a fight will often follow. Same idea with smiling; to humans it is a friendly way of saying "hello, I want to get to know you, I wont hurt you." Guess what a dog sees --- TEETH.

If you are having problems with an unsocialized dog, fearfulness, aggression or just need help with obedience, please see our website for more information on our training services.

http://www.discovercanine.com/

info@discovercanine.com