Photo By Sgt. Michelle Reif | A member of the Provost Marshall’s office K-9 unit answers questions from the crowd...... read more read more
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WILMINGTON, D.C. - Dog handlers from the Provost Marshall’s Office K-9 unit are accustomed to putting on demonstrations for eager spectators. They often receive visits from bright-eyed school groups and future military recruits at their kennels on Camp Lejeune. The military working dogs have never failed to excite and entertain a crowd. But for the handlers, one special demonstration struck a chord in their hearts.
Members from the Camp Lejeune PMO K-9 unit held a K-9 demonstration at the Senior Resource Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, April 22, 2015, for veterans of the Second World War and their families.
“All of our guys are veterans, so we know what it means to be a veteran,” said Trent Tallman, a working dog handler with PMO and native of Jacksonville, North Carolina. “We’ll do what we have to do to accommodate them.”
Before PMO arrived, the group of veterans viewed the film ‘War Dogs of the Pacific’ about the Marine War Dog Platoon during World War II. Tallman explained that the type of dog used and the specific duties of the dogs have changed a great deal since WWII. This change is a frequent topic for questions from the veterans.
“I think it’s good for them to see the progression and see how it’s changed from when they were active duty,” said Tallman.
The PMO dog handlers explained that they enjoy doing demonstrations for veterans more than any other group because they are always attentive and appreciative.
“It’s neat to see the energy and it’s good for us too,” Tallman said. “Sometimes you get the crowd that doesn’t really seem to care, but not with this crowd. We want to stay as long as we can and make sure we answer every question.”
The handlers and spectators weren’t the only ones enjoying themselves during the demonstration. The three working dogs showed off their skills in obedience, detection and aggression. The dogs enthusiastically sniffed out a hidden explosive and zealously chased down a simulated enemy combatant, all to the crowds delight.
“They feed a lot off of the crowd,” said Tallman. “If they are cheering and clapping, then the dogs will be into it too. Nothing makes me prouder than when we get to go up in front of a group of veterans, especially World War II veterans.”
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.27.2015 09:10 |
| Story ID: | 161355 |
| Location: | WILMINGTON, NC, US |
| Hometown: | JACKSONVILLE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 101 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, PMO K-9’s entertain WWII vets, by Sgt Michelle Reif, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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