Photo By Michael Mascari | Colonel Caryn "Suzie" Heard, the former Legislative Liaison assigned to the 81st RSC,...... read more read more
A Soldier reunited with her battle buddy at Fort Jackson and they will face one more mission together: retirement.
Recently retired Colonel Caryn “Suzie” Heard adopted Beno, a hard charger she knew when she served as Garrison Commander of Fort Buchanan in Puerto Rico. That hard charger was Beno, a German Sheppard, who was retiring from service as a military working dog (MWD). Heard knew Beno and his handler, Officer Efrain Laureano.
Heard relinquished her command at Fort Buchanan for a final assignment as the Legislative Liaison assigned to the 81st Regional Support Command on the same day as Beno’s retirement. They would both arrive at Fort Jackson about the same time where Heard was able to complete the adoption process.
“MWD adoption is an opportunity to show our appreciation to the MWD for his service to our country by providing a loving home where he can relax during his retirement,” Heard said.
Beno’s final mission was to support the Pope's visit to the Philadelphia before he was officially retired. Once he completed his duties, his handler brought him to the Fort Jackson kennel to wait for the final processing of the adoption paperwork.
Sgt. Weston Reeves, plans non-commissioned officer for the 208th Military Working Dog Detachment, first met Beno in Philadelphia and was one of the Soldiers working with Beno during the process at Fort Jackson. He said Beno has an excellent personality and that this is a great match.
“Beno is very friendly,” Reeves said. “When we pulled him out for exercise, he just loved to play and he perked up even more when Colonel Heard came by. They have a great bond and you could definitely tell whenever she came to visit and when she came to pick him up. It’s a great occasion for both, a warrior that’s able to go home.”
“While he was in transition at the Fort Jackson kennel, I was able to visit and start bonding with him,” said Heard. “The kennel master and handlers took great care of him until I was able to pick him up and take him home. The most difficult part of the process was waiting to get the paperwork processed. “
Heard said military working dogs are prized upon their retirement from active service because they are already trained and disciplined and said she would probably adopt another one.
Those interested in adopting MWDs generally must go through an adoption process where the perspective adopters must fill out paperwork, become familiarized with the dog, and pass a screening process. The handler gets first priority, but Laureano was unable to adopt Beno and asked Heard if she was interested. Her prior familiarization with Beno and their ability to bond assisted in the process. She was able to visit him regularly once they were both at Fort Jackson.
“The kennel master and handlers took great care of him until I was able to pick him up and take him home,” Heard said. “The most difficult part of the process was waiting to get the paperwork processed.”
Heard and Beno are now embarking on their new life journey together.
“He is still trying to figure out the retirement life. He still wants to smell everything whenever we are out of the house. He enjoys playing ball the most. He is doing great. Now he can teach me how to be retired. I plan on doing nothing for as long as I can. Beno and I will probably do some traveling and relax for a while.”
To find out more about Military Working Dog adoption, email mwd.adoptions@us.af.mil or call (210) 671-3153.
| Date Taken: | 06.28.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2016 16:41 |
| Story ID: | 202737 |
| Location: | FORT JACKSON, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 89 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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