Photo By Sgt. Adam L. Mathis | Sgt. Gregg Enders, 504th Military Police Brigade, watches as Gero, a former military...... read more read more
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – Bringing your work home with you might seem like a burden to some, but for others, it is a dream come true. However, for Sgt. Gregg Enders, 504th Military Police Brigade, his dream was to adopt two of his former military working dogs.
Enders opened his home to his former canine partners as part of the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Adoption Program. The program is a result of the 'Robby Law,' which enables retiring military working dogs to be adopted by their former handlers, law enforcement agencies, or the general public.
"I'm one of the fortunate people who has two retired military dogs living at home," said Enders, from Marine City, Mich.
The first former military working dog to live with Enders was a Dutch Shepherd named Gero. The two met in 2007 after Enders came to Joint Base Lewis-McChord to start his career as a narcotics dog handler. Gero's career, however, was coming to a close.
Dogs are released from military service for basically two reasons: a dog is either deemed unfit for training or a veterinarian determines the dog is unfit for duty, said Sgt. 1st Class Seth Murphy, from Seaford, Del., the Kennel Master for the 504th Military Police Brigade
Though Gero was good at detecting narcotics, he found working around loud sounds difficult. Since the noise bothered Gero, the Army decided to find him a less stressful life.
This meant Enders could apply to adopt him.
"They asked me if I wanted to adopt him and I said definitely, that's my first dog, of course I do," Enders said.
The connection between the two was more than just between a dog lover and his pet. To have a good relationship with any military working dog, you have to spend time with the animal by going on walks, playing, and even talking to the canine, Enders said.
"Some people may think it's silly, but it helps when you know the dog will always listen," Enders added. "Once you have that trust, he'll never turn his back on you."
"There's a huge bond that happens," Murphy said. "It's very hard when it comes time to go on a permanent change of station or end their term of service or when the dog retires. You see a lot of people break down, grown men and women just bawling."
Enders continues to establish that bond with dogs. He recently applied and was able to adopt his second working dog, Brenda, who retired because of hip dysplasia. While the condition is operable, her recovery would take too long for the German Shepherd to remain in the Army.
"She was my partner for the last year and a half," Enders said. "So of course I'm going to jump at the opportunity to take her home."
Though he was excited to bring the dogs home, Enders admits two canines requires some work. For instance, Gero demands everything to be done on a schedule, such as his feedings and being taken out to play. Still, Enders would not change a thing.
"It's definitely a blast having Gero and Brenda here," Enders said. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
To bring a military working dog to your home, contact Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas at mwd.adoptions@lackland.af.mil. Anyone interested in finding out if dogs are available at JBLM should contact the 504th MP Brigade at 253-967-6733.
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.04.2010 13:21 |
| Story ID: | 50869 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 667 |
| Downloads: | 310 |
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