'Man's best friend' takes the spotlight for a day Published Nov. 19, 2012 By Kimberly Parker 82 Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Approximately twenty children from the Airman & Family Readiness Center's (A&FRC) deployed spouses, Exceptional Family Members Program and single parent groups had the opportunity to meet and see military working dogs (MWD) in action Monday, Nov. 19. The event was organized by Erich Lofton, A&FRC's Communities Readiness Technician, to spotlight both the people and dogs from the 82nd Security Forces Squadron and to show that it's just not people who deploy. Military working dogs have been used since the 1700's; now they are a part of every branch of service and deploy worldwide. "Our hope is to shed some light on the important roles that these dogs have in supporting the Air Force and base missions," said Lofton. The idea for the program came after Lofton learned about a reading program with the Holiday Independent School District. "Students in the advanced readers' class were presented the book Dogs on Duty, signed by first sergeants from Sheppard Air Force Base in recognition of their hard work," said Lofton. "It's an excellent program and I thought a similar program to highlight both the dogs and the people that serve would make a great program on base." The kids got to meet Duck, a three year old Belgian Malinois and his handler, Staff Sgt. Daniel Flores. They also met Molly, who will soon be adopted by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hann. Hann was Molly's first handler at Sheppard. The kids first got to hear from Hann, who recently returned from his eighth deployment as a military working dog handler. On his most recent deployment, he and his MWD worked to uncover explosives. All of the MWD's are duel certified in narcotic and explosive detection. The kids also got to see Duck do a series of demonstrations including basic obedience moves, odor detection and patrol work. After the demonstration, each of the students received a copy of Dogs on Duty, and had the opportunity to get a "pawtograph," a paw stamp and a signed message from Hann. After serving, the dogs are retired with military honors. After, they go through a "transition" program so they can be adopted. When a MWD is ready for adoption, handlers have first priority, then the veterinary staff and finally the general public. Sheppard has had success with the adoption program, with five MWD's retiring or becoming inactive and all have been adopted. A monument at Lackland Air Force Base is set to be dedicated in Oct. 2013 to honor all military working dogs. For more information on the adoption program and how to begin the application process, click here, and to learn more about the history of military working dogs, click here.