This archive includes blog posts published by the Military Working Dog Team Support Association prior to 2016, as well as miscellaneous content that is now out-of-date.

MWDTSA, founded in 2006, has served hundreds of military working dog teams in all branches of the service. We provide care packages to handlers and K9s serving in global combat zones. We schedule recognition events for active duty teams at home station kennels.

As well, we support veterans causes and much more. The blog posts in this archive cover a range of topics, from kennel visits to donor thank yous. For more stories, also check out our Kennel Talk archive here: https://www.mwdtsa.org/kennel-talk-newsletter-archive/

Will you become part of MWDTSA’s story? We are seeking volunteers to help in variety of roles, including fundraising. It’s an honor to support our troops, both the two-legged and four-legged variety! For more information, visit https://www.mwdtsa.org/.

How to support to Military Working Dogs for Christmas

Handlers celebrating Christmas

Or Hanukkah, or Winter Solstice or whatever holiday you support, we send goodies to deployed military working dogs and handlers.

How can you help military dogs this season? We have some suggestions: donations are always a great way to go as they can be turned into anything from KONGs, to treats to the nearly $13 per box in shipping expenses. Do you have a contact at a company that could send us in-kind donations? WE LOVE to get items that are suitable to include in packages that we don’t have to spend money to receive: dog treats or toys, socks, hand warmers, snacks, grooming supplies etc.
You can online shop via iGive.com and a portion of the purchases you were going to make anyway can be funneled to our organization. You can partner with your friends, family, church members or other organizations and do a small fundraiser.

However you choose to help military K9s for the holidays, we will be sending packages and you can assured that somewhere in the middle of the Afghanistan mountains, these teams will know that they are remembered and appreciated.

Enyzi and his KONG toy

Military working dog Enyzi of the 101st Airborne Division, in Afghanistan

Enyzi, a 3-year-old Belgian Tervuren military working dog attached to Task Force Currahee, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, takes a break from training Jan. 31, 2011, at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan. Military working dog handlers work with canines throughout deployments to keep their skills sharp and to maintain readiness. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Luther L. Boothe Jr./Released)

KONGs for K9s Display at Top Dogs in Kennesaw

Jonathan Wahl, 47th Infantry Platoon Scout Dog Veteran , stopping by for Top Dogs Kennesaw

MWDTSA Webmaster and 47th Infantry Platoon Scout Dog Veteran stopped by Top Dogs for a quick visit and “scouting” opportunity at the Kennesaw store on his way through on I-75. While there, he visited with employee Mandy Andree and checked out the items being requested for our dogs, including the KONGs, Solid Gold Shampoo and Conditioners, and grooming supplies.

Thanks to all of our great partner stores for their support, KONGs and other supplies will be in our Christmas packages.

49th Mine Dog Detection Detachment in Afghanistan

U.S. Army Spc. Adam Zettel, with the 49th Mine Dog Detection Detachment, and Allan, a mine detection dog, search a compound for unexploded ordnance

U.S. Army Spc. Adam Zettel, with the 49th Mine Dog Detection Detachment, and Allan, a mine detection dog, search a compound for unexploded ordnance in Qalat, Zabul province, Afghanistan, April 18, 2011. The team was asked to perform a ground sweep of the compound prior to the start of a forward operating base (FOB) expansion project for FOB Smart, which is home to Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Brian Wagner/Released)

Avalanche in Afghanistan

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jason J. Scribner and his military working dog, Streek

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jason J. Scribner and his military working dog, Streek, attend an outdoor concert given by Avalanche, the 10th Mountain Division’s rock band, at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 28, 2011. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Terrance J. Solin Jr./Released)

Thank you Jason and Streek for your work in Helmand Province. We love this great photo.

(BTW, love the name Avalanche, how appropriate for a band from the 10th Mountain Division.)

What a great day today. Thanks to the technology of Facebook, we were able to learn that our care packages arrived in a tiny outpost in Afghanistan today. Made me smile to think that two hard working dogs will have new toys and treats today and that two hard working handlers will know they’ve been remembered. Love you guys.

Adopting Allen

Allen will soon be headed home to his new “after-deployment” life, cheered on by a younger and equally cool MWD, Zorby.

Don’t you just love these photos? Thanks to the handlers for sharing super shots of these two amazing working dogs.

Zorby and Allen

Zorby and Allen

Allen and Zorby overlooking the valley

Allen and Zorby overlooking the valley

Good Day at Fort Benning

At Fort Benning for the presentation of Governor Deal’s original May 18, 2011 Military Dog Handler Day Proclamation.

MWDTSA made its way to Fort Benning for the presentation of Governor Deal’s original 2011 Military Dog Handler Day Proclamation.

We have many more photos to share. Be sure to email us and let us know if you’d like to sign up for a free copy of our online newsletter. Just email us at info@mwdtsa.org.

Enjoy the photos. Thanks to all of our friends at Fort Benning and all of the folks attending. What an awesome day. We did miss those handlers who are currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with one who is in pre-deployment mode. AND, always miss, Von Loh, who will remain part of my Fort Benning memories, even if he is stationed elsewhere in the world :)

At Fort Benning for the presentation of Governor Deal’s original May 18, 2011 Military Dog Handler Day Proclamation. At Fort Benning for the presentation of Governor Deal’s original May 18, 2011 Military Dog Handler Day Proclamation. At Fort Benning for the presentation of Governor Deal’s original May 18, 2011 Military Dog Handler Day Proclamation.

Screaming Eagles Support at Hue – Video

Jonathan Wahl on long hike in the mountains
Jonathan Wahl on long hike in the mountains

Jonathan Wahl on long hike in the mountains

What a real treat. Our website guru, Jonathan, was a member of the 47th IPSD and he manages his unit’s website as well. We were talking today about doing some video and how to best get it online when he referred me to this treasure of video only as an example of how we could put something online. When I saw it, I absolutely had to share with everyone.

As you will see, this was taken by one of the Platoon Commanders, James Bradshaw. It will be a real eye-opener for all of the young folks who never knew life before the digital age, but it is a great opportunity to share some video of the dogs and handlers with the 47th who were in support of the 101st. Much of the time, they were based in Hue, South Vietnam which was up in I Corps. Keep in mind, these handlers were trained at Fort Benning as Infantry, not MPs. After viewing the video go into the website proper and get a real sense of the way handlers in Vietnam worked. Lots of stories, photos and history are stored here. Great job, Jonathan. Enjoy the video everyone.
(Photo of Jonathan on long hike in the mountains.)

Click on the link below to see the Vietnam era video. By the way, the dog footage is around minute mark 13. The entire footage is about 37 minutes long.
http://47ipsd.us/47vidjmb.htm

Please help send the word out.

Many of you have received the link to your May issue of Kennel Talk. We talked briefly on the back page about the new red, white and blue silicone wristbands with the simple phrase “I support the Teams” which we are selling for $5.00 as a fundraiser. This idea was created by our very versatile Secretary/Treasurer, Kris, who is always looking to make a buck. (Gotta love a team mate like that!)

She and one of her handler buddies in Afghanistan, Billy, came up with a second version that will be available to dog handlers AND anybody who specifically requests one. These are a little edgier versions of the support bracelet in Down Range Sand instead of the red,white and blue and will have the words “Bite Me” on them. This will also sell for $5.00, although these probably won’t be brought out at our Public Education booths, we know that the handlers and our audience will get a chuckle out of this play on words and the quirky sense of humor.

If you’d like to mail order add $2.50 and we’ll mail you as many as your little heart desires. And, we hope your heart desires either or both, a lot. It now takes about $12.00 to mail a package to Iraq or Afghanistan. Your contributions along with other family and friends will add up and will help us do the work we need to do.

And, just as a reminder, virtually 100% of the monies received go straight to the dog handlers. The odd exception would be postage to a supporter on a thank you letter etc. Please feel free to email and ask any questions that you think we can assist with. You have two emails to choose from:

Dixie at mwdtsa.dixie@yahoo.com or Kris at mwdtsa.carepacks@yahoo.com

Thanks to all of you who have sent in positive comments about Kennel Talk. I always appreciate hearing from you as a lot of energy goes into putting it together! I’m glad you like it.

WellPet Treats our k9s with High Quality Jerky Treats

Wellness Logo 100_1879What a great day on Saturday when we gathered up a big donation of Wellness Turkey & Salmon Jerky Treats that were donated by WellPet for our deployed Military Working Dogs. If you pay careful attention to doggy nutrition, you will quickly see that these Wellness treats are top of the line. With two proteins at the top of the ingredient list and absolutely NO grain and nothing artificial in the ingredient list. These are the perfect rewards for a hard working K9. And, in addition to offering stellar nutritional value, they are also light, small and easy to carry in a mission pack.

Handlers deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan or Djbouti can request these from us while the supply lasts by sending an email to mwdtsa.dixie@yahoo.com

Thanks again to WellPet. What a class act! We’ll get them out and we appreciate your support.