Military Canine

Senior Airman Troy Shepherd feeds Military Working Dog, Nika, in her recently-painted kennel. The Military Working Dogs kennel recently received a much needed paint job to improve the quality of life for the four legged Airmen. “This renovation is really for the health and welfare of the military working dogs,” said Tech. Sgt. Dondrell Scott, 72nd Security Forces Kennel Master. “The paint was chipping and the dogs could have become ill if they ingested the paint chips,” he said. Security Forces worked with Civil Engineering and moved all the dogs to an alternate location so the work could be completed. By moving all the dogs at once, instead of staggering the project, they were able to cut the project time down by 30 days. The new paint is much more durable and will withstand the scratching from the dogs’ nails. “Caring for the quality of life of these working dogs, not only with a clean healthy environment, but also with good food, medications, daily exercise and belly rubs and love from their handler seems like a small way of showing our appreciation for all they do for us — guarding us and keeping us safe,” said Sergeant Scott. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)