Soldier Dogs

usmc/'>http://www.sawyergeorgefuneralhome.com/obituaries/2010/12/pfc-colton-wesley-rusk-usmc/.

Roughton, Randy. “Fallen Marine’s Family Adopts His Best Friend,” U.S. Department of Defense, February 4, 2011, http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=62703.

Schrock, Julie Burget. Missing Max: Finding Hope After My Marine Son’s Death (Altamonte Springs, FL: Advantage Inspirational, 2011).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A platoon of dedicated men and women—both military and civilian—had my back throughout this book. I am really lucky to have had their support in telling the story of these devoted handlers and their incredible military working dogs.

Arod (Master Sergeant Antonio Rodriguez) was always a phone call or e-mail away, day or night, from the very beginning of this project. He may not have a starring role in the pages of this book, but he was there every step of the way, supplying me with credible sources, rich background information, and an honest look at every aspect of the military working dog world. His goal from the outset was just to get these handlers and dogs the recognition they richly deserve.

Gunny (Gunnery Sergeant Kristopher Knight) was also deeply devoted to helping tell the story of these teams. He provided me with invaluable contacts and behind-the-scenes info, and unprecedented access. And like Arod, he pulled no punches when it came to telling it like it is. The fact that neither of these guys is a sheeple has greatly benefited the book.

If it hadn’t been for Gerry Proctor, the public affairs officer at Lackland Air Force Base, this book would have been left at the gates of a vital part of the Military Working Dog Program. He does not grant this kind of book-author access easily or lightly, and I am indebted to him for seeing that this was a project worth supporting.

Also to thank at Lackland for their hard work in regularly getting me the info I needed: “Doc” Stewart Hilliard, Air Force Master Sergeant Richard Reidel, Nancy Ori, Ronnie Nye, DVM, and Walter Burghardt, DVM.

Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Rounds, Navy Master-at-Arms First Class McAuthor Parker, Navy Master- at-Arms Second Class Lisette La Torrre, Navy Master-at-Arms Seaman Silvia Cureses, and Navy Master-at-Arms Second Class David Gutierrez are among many who contributed excellent information and stories that did not make it into the book in the final cut because of space constraints.

Lieutenant Commander John Gay, public affairs officer at Navy Expeditionary Combat Command in Virginia, worked overtime to get me access to a submarine with a jaunty little dog inspecting it for bombs. I’m grateful to him for letting me see the many ways the navy uses dogs and for his introduction to Master Chief Scott Thompson, who had just gotten back from his yearlong command of the dog program in Afghanistan.

I’m deeply grateful to Julie Schrock, Corporal Max Donahue’s mother, for being able to open up and talk about her son, which, if painful for me, must have been almost unbearable for her at times. And to all the marines who helped fill me in on Donahue’s story.

A salute to Marine Captain John “Brandon” Bowe for his across-the-board support, and to Bill Childress, Marine Military Working Dog Program manager.

Michael Lemish generously assisted me in delving into this history of military dogs, and Ron Aiello helped me look to both the past and future of these dogs.

In the realm of the senses and sciences, a big thanks to John Bradshaw, Alexandra Horowitz, and Stanley Coren for their contributions. Hats off to Korrina Duffy, at the Duke Canine Cognition Center, and to Brian Hare, who heads the center with aplomb.

There are several people I’m grateful for on the editorial side of things: Agent Deirdre Mullane, for seeking me out to do this book after finding out about my passion for military working dogs, and for helping me whip the proposal into shape in record time; agent Carol Mann, for her usual great work throughout; Dutton editor Stephen Morrow, for his enthusiasm for the book and his superb guidance and suggestions; Dutton’s Stephanie Hitchcock, for dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s; writer Mark MacNamara, for his eye for a good story; clearance consultant Valarie Barsky, for her fine work in getting all permissions and clearances in order; Kimball Worcester, because how often does a copy editor specializing in military history move in next door the day you sign a military book contract?; Janine Kahn, for holding down the fort at Dogster while I took a leave of absence to finish this book; author Jane Miller, for helping Deirdre Mullane find me; and writer Daniela Caride, of Taildom, for bending over backward to share her sources when I was fresh out the gate.

A heartfelt grazie to my terrific husband, Craig Hanson, for pitching in with everything during the extremely busy months of putting this book together, and ditto to our daughter, Laura, for hanging in there and being a great kid while I disappeared into this book.

Finally, to all the military working dog handlers who let me into their lives, and to their dogs: You have gained my utmost respect and admiration.

Photographs

^{Sergeant Stubby, World War I hero, lives on at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. MARIA GOODAVAGE}

^{This photo from World War II’s Battle of Peleliu is a favorite of former Vietnam dog handler Robert Kollar. To him there’s something about the handler, Marine Corporal William Scott, and his Doberman pinscher, Prince, that captures everything about the bond between wartime handler and dog. NATIONAL ARCHIVES}

^{Dog alerts to the scent of a homemade explosive (HME) at the Inter-Service Advanced Skills K-9 (IASK) Course in Yuma, Arizona. JARED DORT}

^{The author “catching” a dog at Lackland Air Force Base—Ground Zero for dog and handler training. ROBIN JERSTAD}

^{A new dog draftee at Lackland wears a bucket around his head after undergoing surgery that will prevent the fatal effects of a syndrome called bloat. The bucket keeps him from interfering with the surgical site. ROBIN JERSTAD}

^{Navy Master-at-Arms Second Class Joshua Raymond and Rex P233 learn to work off leash together for the first time at the IASK course. It’s a potentially life-saving capability that enables dogs to follow their noses better, and it keeps handlers and others farther from explosives. MARIA GOODAVAGE}

^{Marine Gunnery Sergeant Kristopher Knight, who runs the IASK course, gives Raymond some tips on searching for IEDs. MARIA GOODAVAGE}

^{Raid exercises at the IASK course take place in very realistic settings and come with loud sounds of ammo, IED, and mortar blasts. JARED DORT}

^{“If this doesn’t prepare you for Afghanistan, nothing will,” Air Force Technical Sergeant Adam}