Military Dog Picture of the Week. (May 16th, 2012) K9 Trials!

Posted on 16th May, by Kevin Hanrahan in Photos, Picture of the Week. 6 Comments

Hmmm, who do you think is doing more work? This was taken during the grueling Iron Dog portion of the DOD K9 competition, on Day 3, of TSgt Larry Brown and MWD Ooakley (a puppy program dog!), representing the 341st itself! Check out this Mal’s mouth. It really goes allll the way back. It’s part of the reason Malinois are referred to as mailigators. A classic photo by my fabulous photog, Robin Jerstad. (Photo copyright Robin Jerstad)

No one quit, no matter how hard it got. Many were completely exhausted, many had to stop and catch a few breaths, but thanks to grit, determination, and encouragement, everyone stayed in the game. What an inspiration for all of us who have far easier tasks in life. I’m so proud of these teams! I want to use some of these photos as motivators on hard days; you just keep going, you don’t throw in the towel. MWD Mack Military Dog Picture of the Week. (May 16th, 2012) K9 Trials!

MWD Mack Military Dog Picture of the Week. (May 16th, 2012) K9 Trials!

It looks like MWD Mack is going to leap down off Air Force handler SSgt Pascual Gutierrez Jr and get the bad guy, doesn’t it? This photo, from the Iron Dog portion of the DOD K9 Trials, show off this dog’s utterly unique markings and ears. He is a very memorable-looking dog, one of the few I could ID right away with just glance. (Photo copyright Robin Jerstad)

Wienke Military Dog Picture of the Week. (May 16th, 2012) K9 Trials!

Army Sgt. Elisabeth Wienke, the only female handler in the competition, lifts her military working dog, CChance (another puppy program Mal!) over one of the obstacles on the course. She makes it look easy, but it’s definitely not. (Photo copyright Robin Jerstad)

Here, a handler wearing full gear and a pack containing a sandbag collects himself during a long and arduous crawl with his dog at his side. This part of the event came after the teams had already hiked a few miles and handlers had walked up a large hill carrying their dogs. (Photo copyright Robin Jerstad)

Note: I wasn’t able to attend the Department of Defense K9 trials this year due to the arrival of our baby boy. Maria Goodavage, author of Soldiers Dogs, did attend and was gracious enough to allow me use of her photos for this post. I left her commentary in there as well so you can get a gist of her passion for these dog teams. All photos are copyrighted by Robin Jerstad.

Here is a link to an interview and book review I did on Maria’s book, Soldier Dogs: The Untold Story of America’s Canine Heroes.

In case you missed or want to revisit prior weeks photos. Here are the links.

Military Dog Picture of the Week (9 May 2012): Tennis Balls!

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!

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Technorati Tags: Department of Defense, K9 Trials, Military Working Dogs, United States Army

Department of Defense K9 Trials Military Working Dogs United States Army

6 comments on “Military Dog Picture of the Week. (May 16th, 2012) K9 Trials!”

aj Melnick on May 16, 2012 at 12:43 pm said:

What wonderful photos! Jakie and I have had it after only a couple of miles at an easy pace. And, these guys look like the tasks are grueling, to say the least. My hat’s off to them and their fortitude, both dogs and handlers! And, thanks also!

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- Kevin Hanrahan on May 16, 2012 at 6:42 pm said:
  
  Hi AJ. These troops are clearly warriors….4-legged and two! I have Vizslas so they could hang and would beg for more!
  
  Reply ↓
Adriana Johnson on May 16, 2012 at 5:23 pm said:

Hi Kevin,

Wow, I will have to remember such exsertion when I go to the gym and think I can’t make a day. We can push foward in what we do. Great photo shots and well chosen link since you could not attend. I like MWD Mack, the name is catching and the dark marking and lean in smile to pounce is loud in the picture. Thumbs up on the photo pictures and sharing what you like. It opens the world up to such training and physical fitness of the soldiers and dogs.

Sincerely,
Adriana Villafane-Johnson

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- Kevin Hanrahan on May 17, 2012 at 6:07 am said:
  
  A dog and his handler must be fit. The last thing you want on a patrol in IED infested land is a kid or a dog who is completely focused on making it through the patrol. I want them focused on find explosives.
  
  Reply ↓
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