Military Dog Picture of the Week (9 May 2012): Tennis Balls!
Pfc. Steven Olson, a dog handler with 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, and his dog, Alex, take a moment to enjoy an abundance of tennis balls. The Tactical Explosive Detection Dogs are calm and collected until they see a tennis ball. The balls, nearly 3,000 of them, were donated to the TEDDs team by a Family member taking donations. (Photo by Capt. Allie Scott/4th BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. PAO)
The 4th BCT, 82d Airborne Division TEDDs team handlers and dogs stand outisde their kennels 29 April 2012. They were waiting for the presentation of 3,000 donated tennis balls to their team. (Photos by Capt Allie Scott/4th BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. PAO)
Pfc Steven Olson prepares his Tactical Explosive Detection Dog “Alex” for mission. Alex is specially trained to detect explosive material which in turns keeps safer stand-off distance for American Troops while on foot patrols. (Photos by Capt Allie Scott/4th BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. PAO)
Tactical Explosive Detection Dogs stand with their handlers April 29 after their long-awaited arrival to Forward Operating Base Pasab. The TEDDs are combat multipliers which provide early detection and warning to paratroopers of explosive materials. The handlers and dogs just completed a four-month preparation pase. All handlers are 4th Brigade Combat Team paratroopers and for the majority of them this is their first deployment. (Photos by Capt Allie Scott/4th BCT, 82nd Abn. Div. PAO)
Note: Check out this article about these teams and Christine Jensen’s drive to supply these dogs with tennis balls. Here is a way to send something directly to our dog handlers. I’ve served with Christine’s son Patrick. Patrick is in Afghanistan right now in charge of a group of dog teams. This is great way to make an impact with our troops in harms way…now!
In case you missed or want to revisit prior weeks. Here are the links.
Military Dog Picture of the Week (2 May 2012): Desert Dogs of Afghanistan
Military Dog Picture of the Week. (April 25th, 2012) Cool Dogs Wear Shades!
Military Dog Picture of the Week. (April 18th, 2012) Thirsty Pups!
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17 comments on “Military Dog Picture of the Week (9 May 2012): Tennis Balls!”
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Wanda517 says: Those are some happy dogs! They love to work and they love their handlers.
All dogs should be so lucky.
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Kevin Hanrahan says:
You’re right Wanda. they do live pretty good lives and are treated like kings/ queens. Some naysayers would say this isn’t the case but the proof is in those wagging tails!
Woo, that’s a lot of tennis balls! Great article, too, it’s always nice to hear when people really come through on something.
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I remember when Christine first contacted me to talk about the program a few months ago. I’m so happy that it is really “rolling” for her and the dog teams! This is a way Christine and all she enlist to assist can contribute to the countries’ war effort.
Karen says: Some of those dogs look like pups. What is the average age for Military dogs?
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The average age varies by unit, command and service Karen. The average age of the dogs at the Army Command I work for is about 5.8 years old.
These pups are probably much less than that because they are in a program called the Tactical Explosive Detector Dog. They are procured differently than our traditional military working dogs.
Lynn says: I would have loved to see a video of that happy tennis ball presentation!
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You know, there may be one Lynn. I will check for you.
Sally Lowen says: My retired MWD Belgian assumes that very position with two balls in her mouth. These dogs are super special as as the people who love and work with them. My only issue with Mirza is that she is a lot smarter than I am. Good dog enjoying her retirement. Congratulations on you new son! My friend aj shares her e-mails with me.
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That is funny Sally! My screen saver is off my Stella with two large bones in her mouth! She likes to steal her brothers and keep them for herself!
Thank you. I am up extra early for Brady this morning but that mean I will get more work done- right? PLease tell AJ I said thanks for sharing!
Mandy says: Hi Kevin,
Great article and wonderful photos of these awesome Military teams. Your posts are always my favorite. My response goes a little further than just this particular post. It is more for me about all that you are doing to connect us with what is maybe an overlooked part of our military where we need to understand that animals play a huge role in keeping our country safe. Keeping our service men and women from certain harm. What you are doing is a great service to bring attention to the sacrifices made by these very special dogs. They truly are man’s best friend. I feel our Country is in great hands and paws militarily due to the exceptional work accomplished with this teamwork. Thank you for creating this website to share these great stories and photos for the rest of us who dearly love this Country and our Military. You do us great honor. Please convey my appreciation to all the men, women and dogs who serve so honorably. I salute you all. I would love any videos that of the great tennis ball presentation & anxiously look forward to your next installment. Thank you.
Most sincerely,
Mandy
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Thank you very much Mandy. This is exactly why I first wrote my book while in Afghanistan. People need to know what our 4-legged warriors are doing for our country. This web site is simply an extension of my passion. It is a way to spread the word. I hope all that read it will help me in this cause.
[...] making him understand that barking and whining is only allowed in command. And now, for the humans.How do you stop a nuisance barker? Easy: Teach them how to "speak" and "sing". This might be more in…go is to call your dog, show him a treat (which never disappoints), and say "Speak". The dog might [...]
Kevin,
Hand claps to the paying it foward link by sharing Christine Jensen’s link. It is in action that progression happens. I enjoy seeing people come together and integrate, share knowledge to make things happen. Like a building being built using all the pieces, people, tools etc.
The dialated eyes on the dog Alex shows his gratitude and spunk to move and ready to do something next. The first picture made me laugh he is in a yoga pose downward dog literally bahaha with the joy of a tennis ball rumble in his mouth. ‘Attention’ the dogs say lets move foward in the stance. I also noticed how most of the highly trained dogs sit right at or behind the knee. They are definitly trained into an admirable use, tool to block danger. I would be very attached to mine if I was such a soldier.
Honors to All and Thank you for the post!!!::)
Sincerely,
Adriana Villafane-Johnson
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Christine is an awesome lady and what she is doing is wonderful. Her son Patrick is a great officer and I appreciate them both so very much.
I thought these pictures were wonderful. I haven’t had a chance but I have to get with Patrick to see if there is video. I love how excited those pooches are. This would be the equievelant of me being dumped into a brewery/ winery!
[...] Military Dog Picture of the Week (9 May 2012): Tennis Balls! [...]
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Those are some happy dogs! They love to work and they love their handlers.
All dogs should be so lucky.
You’re right Wanda. they do live pretty good lives and are treated like kings/ queens. Some naysayers would say this isn’t the case but the proof is in those wagging tails!
Woo, that’s a lot of tennis balls! Great article, too, it’s always nice to hear when people really come through on something.
I remember when Christine first contacted me to talk about the program a few months ago. I’m so happy that it is really “rolling” for her and the dog teams! This is a way Christine and all she enlist to assist can contribute to the countries’ war effort.
Some of those dogs look like pups. What is the average age for Military dogs?
The average age varies by unit, command and service Karen. The average age of the dogs at the Army Command I work for is about 5.8 years old.
These pups are probably much less than that because they are in a program called the Tactical Explosive Detector Dog. They are procured differently than our traditional military working dogs.
I would have loved to see a video of that happy tennis ball presentation!
You know, there may be one Lynn. I will check for you.
My retired MWD Belgian assumes that very position with two balls in her mouth. These dogs are super special as as the people who love and work with them. My only issue with Mirza is that she is a lot smarter than I am. Good dog enjoying her retirement. Congratulations on you new son! My friend aj shares her e-mails with me.
That is funny Sally! My screen saver is off my Stella with two large bones in her mouth! She likes to steal her brothers and keep them for herself!
Thank you. I am up extra early for Brady this morning but that mean I will get more work done- right? PLease tell AJ I said thanks for sharing!
Hi Kevin,
Great article and wonderful photos of these awesome Military teams. Your posts are always my favorite. My response goes a little further than just this particular post. It is more for me about all that you are doing to connect us with what is maybe an overlooked part of our military where we need to understand that animals play a huge role in keeping our country safe. Keeping our service men and women from certain harm. What you are doing is a great service to bring attention to the sacrifices made by these very special dogs. They truly are man’s best friend. I feel our Country is in great hands and paws militarily due to the exceptional work accomplished with this teamwork. Thank you for creating this website to share these great stories and photos for the rest of us who dearly love this Country and our Military. You do us great honor. Please convey my appreciation to all the men, women and dogs who serve so honorably. I salute you all. I would love any videos that of the great tennis ball presentation & anxiously look forward to your next installment. Thank you.
Most sincerely,
Mandy
Thank you very much Mandy. This is exactly why I first wrote my book while in Afghanistan. People need to know what our 4-legged warriors are doing for our country. This web site is simply an extension of my passion. It is a way to spread the word. I hope all that read it will help me in this cause.
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Kevin,
Hand claps to the paying it foward link by sharing Christine Jensen’s link. It is in action that progression happens. I enjoy seeing people come together and integrate, share knowledge to make things happen. Like a building being built using all the pieces, people, tools etc.
The dialated eyes on the dog Alex shows his gratitude and spunk to move and ready to do something next. The first picture made me laugh he is in a yoga pose downward dog literally bahaha with the joy of a tennis ball rumble in his mouth. ‘Attention’ the dogs say lets move foward in the stance. I also noticed how most of the highly trained dogs sit right at or behind the knee. They are definitly trained into an admirable use, tool to block danger. I would be very attached to mine if I was such a soldier.
Honors to All and Thank you for the post!!!::)
Sincerely,
Adriana Villafane-Johnson
Christine is an awesome lady and what she is doing is wonderful. Her son Patrick is a great officer and I appreciate them both so very much.
I thought these pictures were wonderful. I haven’t had a chance but I have to get with Patrick to see if there is video. I love how excited those pooches are. This would be the equievelant of me being dumped into a brewery/ winery!
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