Our Airforce Veterans
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MWD Lex Y488
USAF, USAF Academy Patrol/ Drug Detection Dog Date of Birth - 12NOV2014 German Shepherd We welcome Newly Retired USAF MWD Lex Y488, P/DDD, USAF Academy to the Ddamien Project on 02FEB2024. Lex is a beautiful 9 yr old GSD who has LOVED working on his gorgeous base for 7 years. His kennel reached out to us about 6 months ago to see if we would be able to offer him a place to stretch his legs and just be his happy grumpy self! He was retired due to a growing list of pretty difficult medical issues, primarily skin and his back. Lex has been known to redirect at people when he is over stimulated, and he just wants to do things his way. Kong is life for him, so I think he will be pretty excited to learn he will never have to give his Kong back after today! His kennel put together a great retirement ceremony for him today, and I am thankful I was able to be there. Everyone at the kennel, command, and Vet Clinic has been so nice and supportive!! |
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MWD Sunny A511
USAF Patrol/Explosive Detection Dog Tyndall AFB Date of Birth- 10APR2017 Belgian Malinois Sunny came to us on 19JUL2024. I want to say THANK YOU so very very much to the amazing people at Tyndall AFB! One of Sunny's handlers, who is now the Kennel Master at Tyndall reached out to us almost 2 years ago in preparation for Sunny's upcoming retirement. He still has the fantastic drive and skill of an MWD, but unfortunately he was diagnosed with Kidney issues, and it was decided that it would be in Sunny's best interest to send him home. The kennels put together an absolutely wonderful Retirement Ceremony for him, and I had the chance to meet the other handlers, the new Commanding Officer of Tyndall, and the great Veterinary Staff that helped care for Sunny while he was active duty. Welcome home Sunny! |
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MWD Ria W194
MWD Ria W194, USAF, Edwards AFB Patrol/Drug Detector Dog DOB 07FEB2012 Belgian Malinois MWD Ria is from Edwards AFB, retiring on 30JUN2021, almost 1 year to the day that we adopted MWD Xero V088 from Edwards AFB! (We LOVE the Edwards AFB dogs!!) Ria came to use as a medical retirement, with significant arthritic issues. She also is the surprise momma of who Lackland calls the "River" litter! Ria is one of the few dogs we get that has a fantastic temperament with people! She loves belly rubs, and just wants to be with her people. She unfortunately also has some separation anxiety, and has been a legend not only at Edwards AFB, but even back at Lackland AFB for being able to climb 8' walls and 6' fences! We built her a special kennel that has a roof and is completely enclosed. The first couple days she arrived, we could see her through the windows looking like a spider monkey, and just climbing her way up to the top to test the top of her kennel! (She has since stopped that behavior). Ria is also very dog aggressive. Sometimes, even with the best personality, it can come with some extra baggage that most families are unable to safely cope with. She is very much loved by her prior handlers, and vet staff. We are looking forward to being able to spend time with Ria out and about at events as one of our ambassadors! |
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MWD Arno A318
MWD Arno A318, USAF, MacDill AFB Patrol/Explosive Detector Dog DOB 29MAY2017 Belgian Malinois MWD Arno is from MacDill AFB and retired in August of 2021. Arno unfortunately was retired at a very young age due to medical issues that were unable to be resolved and keep him comfortably working. Mission K9 Rescue stepped up to get Arno out of the kennels when he retired with no handler able to adopt him. He has a Handler that was assigned to him his entire working career, and who loved him very much, but his handler also has a family that Arno was unsuitable to be safely maintained with. Once Arno was safely with Mission K9, they felt that he was more suited to our program with Arno's behavioral issues that he also was retired with-Severe OCD issues, kennel aggression, and some dog reactivity. We are looking forward to getting to work with Arno and introduce him to some new fun things to keep him mentally engaged and physically fit! It can be very challenging to take a young, high drive dog OUT of a working environment, and still keep them mentally and physically occupied. Arno has settled into life here very well and has enjoyed a few trips to some local state Parks and has now been to Texas A&M University as we try to get to the bottom of his mysterious lameness issue. |
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MWD Eeland Y217
MWD Eeland Y217, USAF Explosive Detector Dog DOB 18AUG2014 Belgian Malinois MWD Eeland is from Seymour Johnson AFB and retired in July of 2021 because of training issues. Eeland was having some serious behavior issues that the kennel felt he would be better suited OUT of the military. Mission K9 Rescue pulled him out, and he was determined to be a better fit with our program due to his behavior concerns, and his past medical history of being a multi time heat casualty. He came to us in August of 2021 Eeland is one of our Lackland AFB bred MWD's! We have been in contact with his foster family, and we look forward to them getting to see him again in the very near future! Eeland has a history of some resource guarding issues, especially with his toys. So, we went ahead and gave him about 5 different toys he could have with him at all times. When we do things out of his kennel, he gets to take one of his toys with him, and we do lots of food rewards! So far, he is adjusting extremely well, and we really enjoy having him here. There is something about these Lackland bred dogs that are near and dear to my heart.. Keeping him safe in the Texas heat is our number one concern, but we can't wait as the seasons change and we are able to find some fun things to do with Eeland, and see if we can bring out that great puppy he was known to be! |
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MWD Nero Z594
MWD Nero Z594, USAF Patrol/Explosive Detector Dog DOB 19SEP2016 Belgian Malinois This handsome 6 yr old Belgian Malinois was retired early from Lackland Airforce Base for medical reasons, having injured both of his hind legs requiring surgery. Nero was adopted to his handler in January of 2022, but recent family changes put his Dad in a rough spot. Nero does not do well with children, and his handler has a little girl. Because of Nero's very high prey drive, and medical issues, we were asked if we could possibly squeeze him into our program, and squeeze we did. MWD Nero had one deployment to Saudi Arabia in 2020, AND he has left a little more then his mark on the Military Working Dog Breeding Program, having been the father of SEVERAL MWD Litters. We have found Nero to have ton of personality, and just a little bit more then a crazy obsession with his KONG bone toys! |
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MWD John X339
MWD John X339, USAF Explosive Detector Dog DOB 25MAR2014 Belgian Malinois MWD John X339 retired from Andrews AFB on December 13, 2022. This handsome 8.5 yr old malinois has a bit too much of a selective and sharp temperament to find a home with his handlers. They loved him and wanted to make sure he was well cared for in retirement, but was far from an ideal family dog. So, we were happy to welcome into our family. Although our initial relationship started a bit rough over the 24 hour drive home, lots of roast beef and Chick-fil-A nuggets later, John unloaded safely and seems to be showing great signs of concidering me as a potential friend! (Sometimes it starts a little sketchy to prove I am a friend and NOT food ) Over the years, I have found that once we leave the comfort of their home, and their friends and handlers are no longer around to create conflict with their attention, they tend to come around quickly. John was rumored to not like women very much, and sure enough, just as he started to concider me a friend when we finally got home from Virginia, he realized my husband was an option and picked him as his new best friend! I could go pound sand. We are really happy with how well John has settled in, and we will be working hard to make sure his arthritis is well managed. |
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MWD Samu B400, USAF
MWD Samu B400, USAF (USSF) Patrol/Explosive Detector Dog DOB 05JUN2017 Belgian Malinois Samu comes to us from Buckley Space Force Base. He was at Lackland Air Force Base the last 6 months of his active duty service while he went through a TPLO surgery and extensive physical therapy. (Does that make him a Space Force Dog, or Air Force Dog?). He was retired at only 5 years old due to medical issues stemming from a recent TPLO, and for behavior issues. Samu was a dog that we had been tracking since last spring, knowing he had very limited options and was unlikely to stay active duty. Samu's personality was not tolorating the military way of life. If he felt someone was being unfair, or if he felt threatened, he started fighting back. He was very liked by handlers and staff that gave him his space and were careful not to push too hard. SInce arriving here, Samu has been amazing! He is enjoying his play time, and still adjusting to the lack of expectations now. We are looking forward to seeing Samu find his inner dog again! |
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MWD Kent Y307
MWD Kent Y307, USAF Patrol/ Explosive Detection Dog German Shepherd DOB: 22OCT2014 Kent was retired from Eielson AFB, Alaska on 13July2023 for medical reasons. He was known for being a bit of a diva at the kennel, and for having guarding issues while in his kennel. He was an outstanding working dog, and much respected by the kennel (although, I am under the impression several people weren't TOO sad to see him come home). His wonderful kennel was able to give him an amazing retirement ceremony (along with his fellow kennel mate) before he flew back south to us. During his ceremony, he was awarded his Military Working Dog Service award in recognition of over 1,000 hours of explosive detection and 600 hours of patrol work, his support of the United States Secret Service, and countless hours of anti-terrorism presence. He has been outstanding since arriving here at the farm. Kent is very much a momma's boy, and just wants to get all the pets, and to hold your hand with both of his paws. |
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MWD Kay Z301
MWD Kay Z301, USAF Patrol/ Drug Detection Dog Belgian Malinois DOB: 16FEB2016 Kay comes to us from Malmstrom AFB, Montana! Kay was unfortunately retired at a young age due to multiple medical issues with his back and hind legs. As he was awaiting his medical retirement, Kay also began developing some significant behavior issues that led him to us! We are currently working with a behaviorist that knows the Military Working Dog program and have already begun a behavior modification program for him. The good news is he is already trying hard to get himself a cleaner in the head, the downside is he is overly excited to see me every morning and he makes bad decisions sometimes. I am very excited to have Kay here, and to give him the chance to understand that he is just a dog now, and that there are lots of fun adventures to be had out there. |
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MWD Sasha A179
MWD Sasha A179, USAF Patrol/ Drug Detection Dog Belgian Malinois DOB:23AUG2016 Sasha came to us from Joint Base Andrews, Washington DC. Unfortunately for Sasha, for a dog that was a great working dog, he did not have a great temperament and even after multiple attempts of new handlers, Sasha just was too unpredictable. He had a few handlers that really loved him, but they couldn't stay working him forever. Sasha has the happiest of expressions, but don't let him fool you and suck you in! He might act all sweet and get you lured in to pet him, but then he will randomly let you know he was kidding, and not in a nice way. One of his last handlers was amazing enough to fly in from being on leave to meet with me, take him to the vet for his last physical, and loaded him up to say good-bye. He gave a great pass down to make a safe and uneventful 24 hour drive home. So far since arriving, he has continued to be on his best behvaior, and is LOVING the fact he has toys all the time now! |