Military working dogs participate in dog handler conference

A Navy military working dog leaps at his handler during the 13th Annual CENPAC DVC Dog Handler Conference at the Honolulu Police Academy in Waipahu.

8th Military Police Brigade Public Affairs, 8th Theater Sustainment Command

More than 50 civilian and military working dog handlers participated in the 13th Annual CENPAC DVC Dog Handler Conference, held recently at the at the Honolulu Police Academy in Waipahu.

The Schofield Barracks Veterinary Treatment Facility hosted the conference that gave working dog handlers on island the opportunity to learn how to take better care of their dog counterpart while at the same time, being able to come together with teams around the island to share their experiences.

“We gather all the veterinarians and veterinarian technicians from each military clinic in Hawaii and then invite all the handlers on Oahu to come participate together in one large group,” said Sgt. Sandra Castle, veterinarian technician and event coordinator, Schofield Barracks Veterinary Treatment Facility. “We take them through a series of

lessons on working dog health, then apply those lessons with hands-on training with working dog dummies.

“A lot of what we teach is from basic knowledge to things we learn and encounter in the field,” she added.

While the lectures on health and safety issues provided valuable knowledge, a military working dog doesn’t come with a manual.

“The most difficult thing handlers have (to deal with) when taking care of their own dog is understanding the dog, becoming familiar with what feels right during a physical exam and what feels wrong,” said Capt. Shannon McLean, officer in charge at the veterinarian clinic at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps. “Every dog is different,” she said.

Beyond just a basic physical, the care that these dogs receive isn’t far removed from the treatments their humans receive, like a visit to the dentist, setting a broken limb and emplacing a catheter when needed.

Maureen Yee-lam, K-9 explosive handler, transportation security administration, couldn’t hold back a smile while bandaging her mock dog.

“It’s awesome being here with other handlers and the vets,” Yeelam said. “I’m just glad to be part of this and take in all they have to offer me.”

The event finished with a showcase of what a healthy working dog team can do. The Honolulu Police Department showcased its search-and-rescue capabilities, while the Navy displayed its working dog teams’ abilities to take down a subject.

“It’s rewarding to go out and teach people about their animal, then see what they can do with them,” said Spc. Kirsten Frock, veterinarian technician, Schofield Barracks Veterinary Treatment Facility. “A lot of these handlers don’t get the same schooling we do as (veterinarian technicians, so) the feeling that our knowledge contributed to their success is what makes this job (so rewarding).”

“We came here to ensure everyone was able to take something away (from this conference), and if they ever came into a situation where their working dog got in trouble, the handlers would know what to do,” she added.