Photo By Senior Airman Daniel Walderbach | U.S. Army Capt. Latoiya Templeton, the Joint Base Andrews Veterinary Readiness Activity branch chief, speaks with a military working dog handler assigned to the 316th Security Support Squadron about the health and well-being of the MWD at a canine readiness day at JBA, Maryland, Sept. 3, 2026. The MWDs support the presidential mission by ensuring the safety and security during no-fail missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Walderbach) see less
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One Hundred and One Military Working Dogs: A Military Veterinarian's purpose
Who is U.S. Army Capt. Latoiya Templeton?That’sa question evenshestruggled to answer.
“Ohgosh, I am so many things, I am a mom,I’ma veterinarian,I’ma sister,I’madaughter. All the things,”said Templeton,Joint Base Andrews branch chiefassigned to the Veterinary Readiness Activity, Fort Belvoir.
Templeton grew upon the south side ofChicagoto17-year-old parents. Itwasn’tan easy life growing up, she described her early childhood as a community effort to raiseher andhersiblings.But it was thoseformative years thatpointed her toward her true calling.Her parents and grandparents,including a grandfather who enlisted in the U.S.Army in 1958,paved the way with a simple message:“There’s nothing you can’t do.”
“The thing I saw growing up was so much need,”said Templeton.“It wasvery importantto me, whatever my purpose was,would be giving back,in which ever way I was most effective.”
And that was as a veterinarian.
A few weeks before herthirdyear of veterinarian school, Templeton gave birth toher daughter, Kennedy.Describing that as one ofherdefining moments inlife, veterinary school and a newborn was an unthinkable challenge.Templetonwas given theoptionto delayher schooling bya year ortocontinuejuggling classes andabrand-newdaughter.Shechose tocontinuewith her classestograduate on time.
“Everybody helped out, even with the little things,”said Templeton. “They left it up to me, to write my own path and I knew I could bet on myself.”
Herprofessorswereveryhelpful,allowingtheir classes to be didactic,whichmeantthatshe wasableto sit at home andlisten to lectures,one ofthe first timethis wasallowedattheOhio State University.
“I thinkthat’swhy I advocate so hard for the dogs,because a lot of timeswe’redoingthings one way, butthat’snot the only way to do it,”said Templeton.She emphasized that someone must be brave enough to voice an alternative and dedicated enough to run with the vision.
Capt. Templeton arrived at Joint Base Andrews inDecember2025 butdidn’tfully take over as theBranch ChiefatJBAuntil April2026.Responsibility forthe largestoperationalMWD kennel in the Air Force with 36 dogswas daunting for Templeton, but thatdidn’tdeter herfrom tackling the challenge.
“If I can have a kid in vet school, if Iif I can direct commissioninto the U.S.Army Veterinary Corps atage38... it reminds methatI can do this too,”she said.
The same monthTempleton officiallytook over,Department ofAirForceInstruction31-126DoDMilitary Working Dog Program, was republished with guidance coveringMWD health and welfare,animal welfare principles,companion animal care guidelines,kennel managementprinciplesand procedures,andaMWD enrichment policy.
Since stepping into her role as the new Branch Chief of Joint Base Andrews, Templeton hasbrought in a wave of newinnovations on existing processes. She also started a few of her own, including celebrating each of her assigned MWDs on their birthdays.
Every day,one thing alwaysremainstop of mind regarding MWDs for Templeton:readiness.
“The Andrews kennelis always our busiest kennel,”Templeton said.Because this is a presidential base, the mission takes precedence whenever these dogs are operational, including conducting security sweeps for Air Force One and Air Force Two.
Making sure the MWDs areready to complete their no-fail mission, Templeton and her team make monthly visits to the kennelfor their “K9readiness evaluation day.”On thosedays,all the MWDs are evaluatedfornewhealth concernsand receive targeted physical exams for travel certifications. The kennel facilities are inspected, and Templeton’s team conducts medical training.Sheand her teamtrainthe handlers onbest practicesforhealth and readiness evaluations, hot andcold weatherinjuries,CanineTactical Combat Casualty Care, and a variety of other topics.According to DAFI 31-126the handlersare responsible forgrooming,dailyhealthand well-being evaluations,andemergency medicalcare.
Templeton isthrilledwith how the dogs are being cared for under the new DAFI. “The things that we didn’t think about as a military beforehand are now at the forefront,” she said.
“These (dogs) arecategorized asmilitary equipment,”Templetonsaid. “But when you see them work,you’rejust in awebecausethey aremagical. Theyare so motivated to work, despite all the environmental challenges.”
It’s that daily buy-in from the dogswho never chose toserve butwere born into it and selected by the military,that has made Templeton so committed to providing them with the highest level of care possible for as long as they’re in service.
“I do this because no one can do it better than me formydogs, because Igenuinelylove it,”Templeton said.“Ilove my job, andI think itgives back in a way that makes you feel like a better human.”
Whetherit means caring for the dogs through their daily antics or simply letting them be dogs, for Capt. Templeton, the work is a rewarding way to serve and set a meaningful example for her two children.
“Being a good person is just the baseline—the minimum standard we should all live by,” Templeton said with a smile. “Being able to support this mission means serving something greater than myself. Pouring that energy back into the world, and into these dogs, is what brings everything full circle.”
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