Wahiawa Public Library hosts military working dog demonstration

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabrielle Joyner | 150618-N-WC566-131 PEARL HARBOR (June 18, 2015) U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cody Becker and Staff Sgt. Nicholas White, both assigned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, host a demonstration with Ggregor, a military working dog, for community members during a Wahiawa Public Library summer reading event. The demonstration was part of a series of events hosted by the Wahiawa Public Library for their summer reading program. The 2015 theme for children is, "Every Hero Has a Story," and, "Unmask!," for teens. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gabrielle Joyner/Released)  

WAHIAWA, HAWAII, UNITED STATES

06.18.2015

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabrielle Joyner 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Hawaii

WAHIAWA, Hawaii – Service members, families and Oahu residents gathered at the Wahiawa Public Library for a military working dog demonstration hosted by Airmen assigned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) June 18.

The demonstration was part of a series of events being held for the library’s summer reading program. This year’s theme focuses on heroes.

“We’re looking at all different kinds of people and groups of people doing heroic things in a range of circumstances,” said Matt Brown, acting branch manager for Wahiawa public library. “Last night, we had police officers come in and, next week, we’re having a special event where we have a storyteller coming in to talk about traditional Hawaiian heroes. And this evening we’re very lucky to have our working dog team come up from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.”

Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas White and Senior Airman Cody Becker, assigned to JBPHH, kicked off the event by introducing those in attendance to Ggregor, a military working dog (MWD).

During their presentation, they briefed the crowd about the life of a MWD, what MWDs are capable of, as well as how they train them, and most of all, safety around MWDs. The Airmen then put on a visual demonstration, where they showed the crowd how Ggregor would take down an offender.

“I feel like us coming out and getting involved with the community is very important, especially with for our job,” said Becker. “The working dog program is about security and law enforcement, but it’s also about developing a tie with the community. Helping the community understand what we do and what our capabilities are.”

Sylvia Cheng, a long time patron of the Wahiawa Public Library and attendee at the event, said that she found the military working dog presentation to be informative.

“[The MWD presentation] was educational and it was nice to see the military coming out to the community and share what they go through, as well as the animals,” said Cheng. “I know the kids enjoyed just seeing a working dog too and what it takes to train them.”

Brown echoed Cheng’s sentiments and expressed how much military involvement means to those in the community.

“Being here on Oahu in the library system, not only do we, on staff, feel very strongly about our relationship with our military friends and neighbors, but so too do our patrons,” said Brown. “Many of them, in fact, come from military families or have a military background. So, any time we have a chance to do something cooperatively or in conjunction with the folks in the military, we look forward to that.”

The Summer Reading Program encourages readers of all ages to participate from May 31 through July 18. The 2015 theme for children is, "Every Hero Has a Story," and, "Unmask!," for teens. The theme for adults is, "Escape the Ordinary."

Brown went on to explain why it so important for the community to utilize the resources and programs, such as the summer reading program, offered at the public library.

“We hope that our people are well informed so they can make good decisions and they can voice well thought out ideas, and we think of the library as essential to that,” said Brown. “But if people aren’t literate, if they aren’t continuously taking on board new information and considering it, then that’s a less than ideal situation. And I don’t see any place in the community that really brings all of these elements together except for the public library.”

• Date Taken: 06.18.2015
• Date Posted: 06.19.2015 20:41
• Story ID: 167404
• Location: WAHIAWA, HAWAII, US