Posted on 01/14/2006 8:53:16 PM PST by SandRat
1/13/2006 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFPN) -- A 21st Security Forces Squadron Airman is the first military working dog handler allowed to adopt her K-9 partner from active duty.
Tech. Sgt. Jamie Dana, a military working dog handler, has been waiting since August for the official word after she requested to adopt her K-9, Rex. The two were injured in an improvised explosive attack on their Humvee June 25 in Iraq.
President George W. Bush signed the Defense Appropriations Bill Dec. 30 allowing military working dogs to retire early and be adopted by their handlers following traumatic events.
The sergeant received a certificate signed by Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne approving the adoption from squadron commander Maj. Paul Cairney.
Sergeant Dana is still recouperating from her wounds.
“The past couple weeks have been hard to deal with. So I tried to keep myself as busy as possible so I didn’t have to think about it,” Sergeant Dana said. “Normally keeping myself busy meant being in a lot of pain in the evenings because I have a habit of pushing myself too hard.”
Sergeant Dana said she really didn’t know how to feel after she heard the news because of the different opinions people have about her request to adopt Rex.
“I had mixed emotions when I found out the bill had passed. I was so happy -- on one hand -- that Rex and I could stay together. But on the other hand I’ve heard very hurtful things from several people,” she said.
There are several Web sites that have posted both positive and negative feedback concerning her adoption of Rex. But the Air Force has backed her 100 percent.
“They were injured together and they should heal together,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Holmes, the Air Force director of Security Forces and Force Protection.
Sergeant Dana had support from Congress and the Senate.
“They told me they wouldn’t support my request if they thought letting me adopt Rex would cost one Soldier their life," Sergeant Dana said. “I wouldn’t want to put anyone at risk either.”
Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley, said the adoption was a positive event.
“This has been a team effort between both houses of Congress and I’m just glad to see that there’s a happy ending,” he said.
The president’s signature was one of many needed to complete the retirement and adoption process. Sergeant Dana’s signature was one of the last on the document to complete the adoption.
“The certificate arrived today and now that the ceremony is over I feel both extremely happy and very relieved,” Sergeant Dana said.
Sergeant Dana plans to separate from the Air Force.
“Rex will accompany me wherever I may end up (in veterinary school somewhere). And hopefully we will be able to do some search and rescue work after I am strong enough to handle it,” she said.
Legislative data on the adoption is available on the Library of Congress “Thomas” Web site at thomas.loc.gov.
Information on the military working dog program is available at http://dodmwd.lackland.af.mil.
WOOF!
But the poor viking kitties have to keep on living in the alleys. For shame.
Oh really!
Good ending, though.
I don't get it. Why would anyone say anything negative about it?
The Anti-war crowd and PETA will do or say anything, pay them no heed
Aw, another wonderful story.
I'm happy for both of them.
My word, we had a pure bred shepherd in 1963 named Rex and looks exactly like that dog. His line went back to the original Graf Shepherd.
Rex II is a big un though. Handsome devil.
Sgt Jamie Dana is cute too in a kinky red headed sort of way.
The more pragmatic don't like a well (and expensively) trained K-9 to be removed from the work force, which is understandable; if the soldier had simply retired, I would've agreed with them. But his handler needs him and together they may serve their country in another way.
Actually, it wasn't ~just~ them... there were a few FReepers who held the opinion that the dog was still useful to the military and would be going to waste.
I hope they have many happy days together.
Think Ursa'd like a boyfriend?
He looks friendly enough but I think I need to talk to his parents first. I have very high standards for our Ursa.
BTTT
What a fabulous story!
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