Part one of a three-part series
The military working dog has played an intricate role throughout the armed forces since World War I in providing support during wartime. And over the course of the nation's different wars, their duties, alongside their handler, have continued to evolve.
In short, Chief Master-at-Arms James Bruno, Navy Region Southwest kennel master said they were an asset then, and they are still an asset today.
"In Vietnam, military dogs were sentry dogs and booby-trap dogs, mine and swimmer-detection dogs. We've honed the skills of those dogs from then to explosives and narcotics detection, and we use [them] to deploy with," Bruno said.
They are better today and one of the most-conventional reliable assets for the Navy to deter against explosives and terrorism overseas said Bruno.
The dog handlers assigned to the Southwest Region's military working dog program are paired up with dog breeds such as the German, Czech, and Dutch Shepherds and the Belgian Malinois.
Among those breeds, there is a lone Cocker Spaniel, named Sophie, used for detection work aboard small ships and submarines.
Bruno said Sophie gets many laughs due to her small size and unusual fit within the kennel.
"She is not a deployable-type dog, but she is definitely a local asset here that we use," said Bruno.
He added that with the working dog continuing to be a vital asset to military law enforcement, especially in the Southwest Region, the relationship between the dog and handler is extremely important.
"You can't make up the relationship. It's one of those things where you love what you do -- a job that the Navy pays you to train and play with dogs.
"It's a large responsibility for a young Sailor coming out of "A" or "C" school. Your sole responsibility is the health and well being of that dog; the safety of yourself; others around you; and training and maintaining that dog," said Bruno.
Note: Please check Navy Compass Online Jan. 22 for part 2 of this series, which will be focused on Sophie, more of the military working dogs within the Southwest Region and other dog handlers.
