Students learn essence of partnership from German shepherd

Photo By Sgt. Ryan Hallock | Third grade students cheer and applaud Rex, an explosive ordnance detection dog, and his handlers after their demonstration at the American Baccalaureate School in Abraq Khaitan, Kuwait, Feb. 10. The students are reading “Aero and Officer Mike,” which is about a police officer and his partner dog with their teacher Karla Kalantar, who arranged the demonstration as a surprise. (Army photo by Sgt. Ryan Hallock)  

ABRAQ KHAITAN, KUWAIT

02.10.2014

Story by Sgt. Ryan Hallock 

U.S. Army Central   

ABRAQ KHAITAN, Kuwait – Dozens of third graders filed out of their classrooms and packed in behind the midfield line of a small soccer pitch, Feb. 10. Tucked into the corner of the American Baccalaureate School in Abraq Khaitan, Kuwait, the pitch would soon transform into a demonstration ground for Rex, a 3-year-old German shepherd trained to detect explosive ordnances.

Rex waited inside the vehicle, his version of a star’s green room, while Harold Blanson, kennel master, Department of Emergency Services, Camp Arifjan, gave the 8-year-old boys and girls a safety brief and answered their questions as their hands excitedly popped up, one after another. He explained the cardinal rule: don’t make hissing noises toward Rex during the demonstration.

Their teacher, Karla Kalantar, arranged the explosive ordnance and attack demonstration as a surprise after her class read “Aero and Officer Mike,” a story about a police officer and his partner dog.

“The story demonstrates hard work, as well as the importance of partnerships, as the story states Aero’s most important job is to protect Officer Mike,” said Kalantar, a Houston native. “Bringing in a demonstration for the children makes a text-to-world connection and hopefully gives them knowledge to find their own personal connections to the text.”

The students – comprised mainly of Kuwaiti, American and British students – are bilingual, learning both Arabic and English.

“I hope this opportunity gives the students an opportunity to experience something they may or may not have experienced before,” said Kalantar. “The chance to ask questions and hear answers in English is critical.”

The students could have asked questions the entire morning, but it was show-time for Rex. One of his handlers opened the vehicle door and the black-and-brown haired German shepherd jumped out. As if the go-ahead goal had been scored on the pitch, the crowd of students cheered and applauded Rex as he trotted the perimeter of the vehicle, sniffing and searching for any bomb-related materials.

“A lot of people don’t understand exactly what [canine units] do, how we do it, and why we do it,” said Blanson, a Louisiana native. “This enlightens the community on our capabilities of what the dogs can do and what we do for the community.”

After Rex finished his sweep and search of the vehicle, one of his handlers geared up for an attack simulation. The handlers showed the students the protective layering they wear to prevent injuries from bites during attack sequences.

One handler and Rex stood on one side of the field, while another handler, donned in protective gear, waited on the other.

The students, teachers, and of course Rex, waited for his handler’s command to attack. Once it came, Rex sped off toward the assumed hostile personnel and latched onto his arm. The crowd cheered again and applauded loudly at the next command relieving the handler of Rex’s vicious bite.

“The most rewarding thing about teaching in this country has been the experiences these students have shared with me,” said Kalantar, genuinely excited her students enjoyed themselves. “I hope this experience gives the students a real life connection to the story.”

• Date Taken: 02.10.2014
• Date Posted: 02.11.2014 08:02
• Story ID: 120438
• Location: ABRAQ KHAITAN, KW