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Comment by chriscwick on June 17, 2013 at 9:58pm

Concernedad, I grew up down Red Road, just north of the original Parrot Jungle. Left Miami living in Kendall just north of what used to be known as Richmond Heights & Metro Zoo.
You?

Comment by chriscwick on June 17, 2013 at 1:13pm

Born n bred native Miamian! There 47 years until the NC move. Huge adjustment, 13 years have passed in the quest to evolve this area. Town is nicer, more inclusive. Finally!

Comment by Concernedad on June 17, 2013 at 12:59pm

I am also a native Miamian....well sort of. Spent much of my youth there.

Comment by chriscwick on June 17, 2013 at 11:40am

If you want more info on MWDs & Handlers check out; War Dogs, Soldier Dogs, & K9 Heroes.

Warrior Dolphins & Seals? Been around a long time. Used to train off FL (am a native Miamian) lots of controversy surrounds them. Pilot whales are also used. They can also protect & defend installations.

Comment by Concernedad on June 17, 2013 at 11:32am

Interesting Chris, I was wondering how sailors got to be dog handlers. I was watching a show recently about the bomb dogs and how they are major targets. I can imagine a handler gets quite attached to his dog.

On a disconnected note, my son was at Point Loma where they train the dolphins and seals to search for mines. How in heck do you qualify to be a seal trainer in the Navy? What job are you enlisting as?

Comment by chriscwick on June 17, 2013 at 11:03am

He was a regular, brand new MA when he first hit the sand. He found that he was kind of bored. He tried lots of diversions; pool brick water polo, video games & others. He kind of fell in the kennel MAs. He started hanging out, then helping out. He cleaned & did generally anything asked of him in his down time. Eventually, he got used as a "chew toy", hence his kennel nickname. Handlers would suit him up in protective gear & sic a MWD on him! The Kennel Master & Command took notice of he & his work ethic.. He had been changed to MA Kennel Support. During a crucial, highly placed, inspection he got noticed again. For the next part of the story I think the kennel crew set him up. During the inspection the Master was asked for a verbal roster. He kind of hesitated & made eye contact with Chew Toy, who rattled off every name, rank, job, etc of everyone in the Kennel. He got the stink eye from the Master & thought he'd overstepped. He was summoned to the Master's office where he got chewed out loudly & thoroughly. In mid rant the Master mumbled, "You're going to Lackland" & continued the rant. While Chris stood there flat footed confused he 'bout died when behind him the whole kennel burst out laughing! Usually, a potential handler must have certain in service time, kennel experience & a vouch safe from a Master. Chris got to go way early, must have seen potential in him. He put a lot of pressure on himself to succeed in training because of it. He loves his career.

He now runs a dark, Belgian Malinois bomb dog. He has run a black GS & a brown BM. The GS has been featured, previously, in several MWD books. Must have been intimidating running a famous MWD. He is a real sweetheart. Chris must have learned a lot from him. Wish I could do a pic, but you never know who's monitoring our pages. Chris is strict about OPSEC. Plus, there are bounties on Handlers & MWDs, because they are such a huge asset.

Comment by ChrisyDVM(Chris'sMom) on June 16, 2013 at 10:10pm

That's so cool that your son is a handler. Is this something he requested? How nice of him to give the vet his dog's treats. I love giving my patient a treat while I'm giving them an injection...often they are so interested in the treat that they don't notice the shot...yeah! Is his dog a shepherd; not sure if you are allowed t answer...no worries if can't! Maybe there is something else you could send like an electrolyte solution made and flavored for dogs???

Comment by chriscwick on June 16, 2013 at 7:21pm

Chris absolutely loves the lady vet on base. (He thought highly of the medical staff who trained him while at Lackland also.) She's awesome. I sent dog biscuits in a care pack, but Chris said they weren't allowed to give them to the working dogs. Very strict diet, but he offered them to the vet who is part of the kennel & treats anything that walks or gets carried in, regardless of nationality. She gave them out as her "doctor lollipops" for her local patients! Just makes ya all warm & fuzzy, doesn't it. She must be someone very special. She isn't NAVY, don't recall her branch of service. Doesn't matter though, all a big diverse family anyway!

Comment by ChrisyDVM(Chris'sMom) on June 16, 2013 at 5:10pm

Lady Hamilton and chriscwick, thanks for the explanations. I thought a handler might have something to do w/ dogs...which as a vet are close to my heart! I didn't know the Navy had them. I believe veterinarians are only Army? At least the army is the only branch I've seen at vet meetings.

Comment by chriscwick on June 16, 2013 at 4:33pm

Can you tell I'm a proud MWDH Mom! HooYah aka HELL YEAH!

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