Marc McCormick
Fort Buchanan Public Affairs
FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico Aca,!" A dog often is considered man's best friend. In the case of Fort Buchanan, the newly assigned military working dogs assume that role and a lot more.
A highly visible part of the department of Emergency Services police division, MWDs Bruno and Beno have assumed the side-by-side duties of two Department of the Army police officers in protecting Fort Buchanan.
These highly trained dogs are currently becoming acclimatized to the garrison environment as part of their phase-in to police operations. During the next 30 days, Bruno and Beno will be evaluated, have their training reinforced and learn the daily routine of DES operations.
"I had always liked animals," Officer Luis Martinez said. "I thought about it and wanted to be a dog handler." The bond between a MWD and its handler is a strong one.
"Do you believe that your dog will protect you'"
Laureano and MartAfAnez both answered, "Yes!"
Laureano said, "The dog will work to make you comfortable. His desire is to please you (the handler), and, everything he does is to get you to reward him."
MartAfAnez observed, "AfA? believe my dog would give his life for me," when I asked if Bruno would get between him and harm.
The dogs, as pointed out by the officers, are a low level response tool, for lack of better words. "Their presence helps deter inappropriate behavior," Laureano said. The officers also pointed out that the dogs are generally perceived similar to household pets, especially by children.
"The dogs are highly trained," Laureano said, "and people shouldn't think they're like regular dogs and should not just approach them to pet them." The officers explained that the dogs are totally responsive to the handlers and only move at the handlers direction but it's best to not and try to be too friendly toward them - they are, after all, always on-duty and shouldn't be distracted.
Bruno and Beno live a good life. Fed a good diet, examined regularly by the Fort Buchanan veterinarian, they are exercised and played with daily by their handlers. Also, they undergo constant training to reinforce and hone their policing skills.
The Military Working Dogs assigned to the garrison have multiple skills. Their primary job, however, is patrol work. Instead of being a "tool of aggression," their primary responsibility is prevention and protection. When you see them and their handlers on patrol, you can feel confident that they are looking out after your interest and providing a valuable force protection function to maintaining Fort Buchanan as a safe and secure environment to live and work.
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