From partners to pet

Photo By Sgt. Micha Pierce | Ronny, a Military Working Dog (MWD), poses in a photograph kept by his former handler, retired U.S. Marine Corps First Sgt. Kevin Bispham, kennel master for the Provost Marshals Office Military Working Dog Kennels with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 10, 2019. Bispham was the first MWD handler to be able to adopt their MWD instead of being retired to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Bispham was Ronny’s last handler, working with each other for about 3 years with most of the time spent at Parris Island, South Carolina. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo by retired First Sgt. Kevin Bispham)  

MCAS CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

05.20.2019

Story by Cpl. Micha Pierce 

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

Tango 082, also known as “Ronny,” was an 11-year-old belgian malinois who made history for animal lovers everywhere as the first military working dog (MWD) to be adopted into a private home after his working life was over. Even his handler, retired U.S. Marine Corps First Sgt. Kevin W. Bispham, kennel master for the Provost Marshals Office MWD Kennels with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, made history by being the first former handler to adopt his military working dog.
“I wanted my dog,” Bispham said. “I felt the obligation to give him a better quality of life and I knew my wife and I could do that.”
Partnered together since 1997, Bispham and Ronny spent 3 years performing countless narcotics searches and patrols, even deploying in their time together professionally. Ronny was first separated from Bispham when he injured one of his hind legs while working in March 2000, he was sent to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to be treated and eventually returned to Parris Island, South Carolina, to continue working with Bispham. Unfortunately, Ronny’s hind leg never fully recovered and he was deemed unable to properly perform his duties due to the injury. He was sent back to Lackland Air Force Base, where all military working dogs are trained and eventually retired. Bispham had lost his partner.
“I wasn’t too happy about it,” said Bispham. “That was my dog. That’s the way I felt about it.”
Bispham advocated for adopting his partner, filling out applications after calling numerous times to see what needed to be done to bring his dog home. In November 2000, former President William Clinton signed a bill into law allowing former dog handlers to be able to adopt their military working dogs. Since MWD’s are trained in aggression, adopting one is no walk in the park. Only qualified individuals, to include their former handlers, are allowed to adopt MWDs following the animal’s behavioral and medical screening exams. Bispham’s adoption request was officially approved after Ronny had passed his medical and behavioral screening. Now deemed suitable for adoption, Bispham wasted no time in getting ready to welcome Ronny to his new home in April 2001.
Ronny lived out his later years in the care of his last handler and best friend, going from a MWD cared for in the on-base kennels, to lounging at home with all of the love he could have dreamed of.
“I’m glad I could give him the life he deserved,” said Bispham. “I miss him all the time.”

• Date Taken: 05.20.2019
• Date Posted: 05.24.2019 15:08
• Story ID: 323100
• Location: MCAS CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US