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Your Working Dog Radio hosts, Eric @vanessk9 & Ted @ted_summers, sit down with retired Combat Veteran of the US Air Force, founder and consultant at Olive Branch K9, LLC @olivebranchK9 and co-owner of Old Republic of Canine Apparel Company, Antonio Rodriguez. Rodriguez also serves as a Special Operations Canine Training Advisor for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.⁣

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Rodriguez completed his career in the Air Force as a Military Working Dog (MWD) Program Manager for 12 military units. Some of his highlights while on active duty include DoD MWD trainer, kennel master, unit trainer, pre-deployment canine team instructor, and special tactics member/instructor.⁣

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After retiring in 2013, Rodriguez was employed by various private security firms supporting U.S. Treasury Department and U.S. State Department domestic and international security contracts.  During this period, he was assigned to the following positions: High-Threat Protection Security Specialist, ERT member, Canine Handler, Kennel Master, and Training Director.⁣

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Following his time in the private contracting world, Rodriguez was employed by the DHS National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program. During this time, he served as unit Canine Trainer and Supervisor of Canine Operations for 11 TSA Passenger Screening Canine teams located at the Denver Airport.⁣

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In 2018, Rodriguez left federal service to pursue other opportunities within the canine industry. For the past 25+ years, he has been instructing Law Enforcement, Military, Spectuial Operations personnel, and Private Military Contractors in the application of canine assets within the global security domain.⁣

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There are definitely nuggets of wisdom in this episode you won’t want to miss! So sit down, listen up, and learn a thing or two! ⁣

⁣

𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘, thank you to our amazing partners:⁣

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@KineticDogFood⁣

kineticdogfood.com⁣

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This course discusses topics such as proper selection of dogs & handlers, proper deployment, effective allocation and utilization as well as liability and FLSA issues. This course can be taken at their convenience. They will receive a certificate of completion at the end. ⁣

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You asked ‘em, we answered ‘em! ⁣

We get asked tons of questions all the time, and we tackled a lot for you in this episode! Everything from tracking, obedience, bitework, and so much more. ⁣Be sure to check it out and watch Ted and Eric answer YOUR listener-submitted questions. ⁣You can watch the video on YouTube Working Dog Radio. Go subscribe and show your support! ⁣

Or listen on Apple, Spotify or Google Play! ⁣

⁣

𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘, thank you to our amazing partners:

@KineticDogFood⁣

kineticdogfood.com⁣

⁣

Highland Canine Training  Online Police K9 Supervisor course⁣

This course discusses topics such as proper selection of dogs & handlers, proper deployment, effective allocation and utilization as well as liability and FLSA issues. This course can be taken at their convenience. They will receive a certificate of completion at the end. ⁣

⁣

Visit the link below under the training tab!⁣

http://tacticalpolicek9training.com/⁣

30% off with the discount code WDR30⁣

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@americanaluminumaccessories ⁣

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Music by @brotherdege ⁣

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Your Working Dog Radio hosts, Eric @vanessk9 & Ted @ted_summers, sit down with Raleigh Police K9 handler, Officer Michelle Lyman.

The gents talked with Lyman about policing in Raleigh, NC and what it’s like being a K9 handler there. Lyman has been with the department since 2004, and a handler since 2010. Lyman’s first K9, Kota, was a dual purpose patrol/narcotics K9. The pair worked together for almost a decade before K9 Kota retired. Lyman had a unique experience in that she worked two K9s at the same time; K9 Kota’s replacement, K9 Rocko, and single purpose explosive dog, K9 Peppers. Lyman explained K9 Rocko’s wash from the program, and her fourth partner, K9 Knox, who unexpected passed from bloat recently this year.

Lyman has nearly two decades of experience, so sit down, listen up, and learn a thing or two! She’s currently training with her new partner, K9 Jakko (pronounced Jaque-o) who she got in October. Follow her at @k9kotaskrew

Thank you to our AMAZING partners.⁣

@KineticDogFood⁣

kineticdogfood.com⁣

Highland Canine Training  Online Police K9 Supervisor course

This course discusses topics such as proper selection of dogs and handlers, proper deployment, effective allocation and utilization as well as liability and FLSA issues. This course can be taken at their convenience. They will receive a certificate of completion at the end.

Visit the link below under the training tab!

30% off discount with the discount code WDR30

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@americanaluminumaccessories ⁣

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@horizonstructures⁣

horizonstructures.com/commercial-dog-kennels⁣

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Music by @brotherdege ⁣

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Your Working Dog Radio hosts, Eric @vanessk9 & Ted @ted_summers, sit down with ⁣metro Atlanta K9 Sgt Brian Doan 👮‍♂️🐕 Doan has been a police officer for 22 years, behind the leash for 4 years, and has 21 patrol apprehensions and “an unknown number of dope apprehensions”. The gents chat about what it’s like being a handler and a K9 Sgt in Gwinette County Georgia (which has a population of 1 million), and get into tracking, which is their “bread and butter”. Doan also discusses back up officers, air support, and how they combat the elements in his unit of 10 full time dual purpose K9 teams. ⁣

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Doan is certainly a busy man, and you won’t want to miss this episode! So sit down, listen up, and learn a thing or two! 💪⁣

Thank you to our AMAZING partners.⁣

@KineticDogFood⁣

kineticdogfood.com⁣

Highland Canine Training  Online Police K9 Supervisor course

This course discusses topics such as proper selection of dogs and handlers, proper deployment, effective allocation and utilization as well as liability and FLSA issues. This course can be taken at their convenience. They will receive a certificate of completion at the end.

Visit the link below under the training tab!

30% off discount with the discount code WDR30

⁣

@americanaluminumaccessories ⁣

ezrideronline.com⁣

⁣

@horizonstructures⁣

horizonstructures.com/commercial-dog-kennels⁣

⁣

@rayallenk9 ⁣

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@dogtraofficial ⁣

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Music by @brotherdege ⁣

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Your Working Dog Radio hosts, Eric @vanessk9 & Ted @ted_summers, sit down with former Australian Army SOF Commando, Steve Moharic. This episode was non-stop stories about an athlete with a nefarious future ahead, turned redemption as a K9 handler (also known as “dog wanker”) in a SOF group. 

After working as a Paratrooper and going through selection, twice, Moharic earned his Green Beret in 2012, and joined Bravo Company to be deployed for combat. Unit 2 Commando had reputation as an extremely effective, capable war-fighing unit, but they weren’t immune to the casualties of war.

It wasn’t until 2015 when Moharic first met K9 Guge, but the rest was history. The gents get into the differences between Australian training philosophies, and those seen in the United States, as well as what the retirement / “de-training” process looks like for both K9 and personnel. 

K9 Guge is now enjoying his retirement with Moharic, who is now applying his knowledge gained as a handler to pet dogs. This is definitely an episode you’ll want to tune in to! So sit down, listen up, and learn a thing or two from this entertaining bloke! And when you’re done with the episode, you can give him a follow and learn more here:

@k9_steve

@masterofpuppies.headquarters

www.masterofpuppies.com.au

Thank you to our AMAZING partners.⁣ Go support them! ⁣

@KineticDogFood⁣

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@americanaluminumaccessories ⁣

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Music by @brotherdege ⁣

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Episode 145:⁣ Top Dog with ⁣Chris Willingham⁣

⁣Your Working Dog Radio hosts, Eric @vanessk9 & Ted @ted_summers, sit down with retired Master Sergeant with 20 years in the Marine Corps, and President of the United States War Dogs Association, Chris Willingham. ⁣

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The majority of Willingham’s career was dedicated to the Military Working Dog (MWD) Program; Willingham served as a MWD handler, trainer, instructor, supervisor and program manager. ⁣

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Willingham deployed to the middle east multiple times and was instrumental in developing or enhancing MWD courses, polices and orders due to his operational and training experience.⁣ Willingham and his MWD Lucca conducted counterinsurgency operations, located numerous improvised explosive devices, and were credited with saving countless lives. Lucca led more than 400 missions during her career, and no one was ever hurt until the day she herself suffered a severe injury on the battlefield. Willingham and Lucca were featured in Maria Goodavage’s New York Times bestselling book “Top Dog”.⁣

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As a MWD subject matter expert, Willingham has been active in community outreach to bring awareness to the service and sacrifice of our MWDs and their handlers. Willingham has provided numerous print, television, and radio interviews about MWDs which include Good Morning America, The Today Show, Fox and Friends, LA Times, and the BBC. Additionally, Willingham has served as a keynote speaker for various events both nationally and internationally.⁣

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On January 1st of this year, Willingham assumed the role of President of the United States War Dog Association, which supports military working dogs and promotes the long history of their invaluable service.⁣

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Willingham and Lucca truly are MWD legends, so sit down, listen up, and learn a thing or two from the man himself! Help us honor their sacrifices, and check out the website, and consider donating!⁣ www.uswardogs.org⁣

⁣

Thank you to our AMAZING partners.⁣ Go support them! ⁣

@KineticDogFood⁣

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@americanaluminumaccessories ⁣

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Music by @brotherdege ⁣

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Your Working Dog Radio hosts, Eric @vanessk9 & Ted @ted_summers, sit down with US Marine Vietnam Veteran, and co-founder of The United States War Dogs Association, Inc., Ron Aiello. ⁣

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Aiello had the honor of serving with the First Marine Scout Dog Platoon from 1964 to 1970. He and his dog Stormy were one of the first thirty Marine Scout Dog Teams to be deployed to Vietnam in early 1966, and the gents discuss what it was like working with a 6’ leash and a pistol, having her literally save his life, as Aiello recounts harrowing tales of Stormy’s abilities, to find, alert, and protect her team from weapons, booby traps, and enemy soldiers. And ultimately, what it was like to give Stormy to her next handler, future unknown, and leave her behind.⁣

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In 2000, Ron and four other Vietnam Veteran dog handlers formed The United States War Dogs Association, Inc. in Stormy’s memory and honor. USWDA is a nonprofit organization of former and current US military dog handlers and supporting members. The USWDA is committed to promoting the long history of the military service dogs, establishing permanent war dog memorials, and educating the public about the invaluable service of these MWDs.⁣

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Aiello has been guiding his organization as president, ensuring that our deployed US MWD Teams receive complete support (especially post 9/11) through “Operation Military Care, K9” through care packages and letter-writing correspondence. The organization has sent more than 25,000 care packages to teams, and has helped adopt hundreds of retired dogs to date. The work the USWDA doesn’t end there, as they provide follow up care for medical expenses for the dogs as well, which can be lifesaving and a huge relief for the adopters. Aiello has also been a consultant for numerous, film producers, screenwriters, book authors, and national and local newspapers.⁣

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Aiello has also been on numerous television shows and has done many radio interviews, promoting Operation Military Care, K9, explaining why MWDs are an asset to the Armed Forces of America.  Ron’s background in military war dog service and his dedication to honoring the memory of the service and sacrifice of the US MWDs gives him a unique perspective that he can use to educate the public on the history of military war dogs.⁣

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Aiello still doesn’t know what happened to Stormy after the war, but luckily, many laws have gone into ensuring our MWDs are taken care of, and brought back home after their service. So sit down, and reflect on our country’s long standing use of MWDs. Help is honor Stormy, and all the dogs before her and after her, and check out Aiello’s website, and consider donating!⁣

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Please check out and support this amazing group and their mission. www.uswardogs.org⁣

⁣

Thank you to our partners.⁣

@KineticDogFood⁣

kineticdogfood.com⁣

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@americanaluminumaccessories ⁣

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@horizonstructures⁣

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@almk9equipment⁣

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Music by @brotherdege ⁣

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