Working dogs get new 'woof' over their heads

  • Published
  • By Mike McKito
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  When it comes to quality of life issues, taking care of the Air Force's four-legged Airmen is also a priority.

Construction of new kennels was completed in August to provide better living arrangements for Sheppard Air Force Base's military working dogs. Tech. Sgt. Christopher Hann, the kennel master for the 82nd Security Forces Squadron, said the old kennels were deteriorating and didn't meet Defense Department regulations. He said several problems were identified with the old kennels, the biggest being the size of each living area.

Each kennel has a place for the dogs to "call home," as well as an exercise area.

"The old kennel was 5-feet wide and 4-feet deep on the inside," Sergeant Hann said, "and 8-feet deep on the outside."

The new kennels are much larger allowing the dogs more room to relax and exercise, he said.

"Each new kennel is 8-by-10 feet both inside and out with a 4-by-4 feet living area," said Sergeant Hann.

Drainage was another big problem. The old kennels were in a flood plain causing them to be flooded during periods of heavy rain. When this happened, Sergeant Hann said the outside portions of the kennels flooded, causing the dogs to move to the inside.

"The new kennels are outside of the flood plain thus eliminating this issue," Sergeant Hann said.

Although Sheppard's military working dogs have a new living area, the old kennel was kept for offices and an isolation area.

"With the new facility operational, the old facility can be used for short term isolation for ill dogs and a quarantine area for dogs returning from a deployed location," Sergeant Hann said.

Another use of the old kennels could be for natural disaster response. The sergeant said they could take on another security forces unit's military working dogs if needed.

When asked if the new kennels were more comfortable for the dogs, Sergeant Hann responded, "Yes. Bigger is better. They are no longer in small living areas, climate control has improved and the drainage system is more efficient."

A ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the new kennels is planned for the near future.