March 2012 Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc. Award Winning Bi-Monthly Newsletter MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 4, Issue 2 www.mwdtsa.org
Support MWDTSA now and you won’t miss any John Douangdara, a of the photos, stories, 26 year old Lao news and highlights of American, was the 2012! K9 handler killed Kennel Talk is now an with members of award winning SEAL Team Six in MWD publication! August when their Inside this issue: Chinook helicopter John Douangdara 2 was shot down in - By his sister Afghanistan after a
PTSD: Post Traumatic 4 mission to assist a Stress Disorder Special Forces team that had come un- Super Bowl in a Box 5 der siege. Speaker’s Bureau 6 Rest in peace, Sailor. Super Bowl in a Box 7 Resulting Photos
What skills can you John Douangdara: American Hero share to support our By Dixie Whitman dog teams? We are Petty Officer 1st Class John His drive and determination looking for volunteers Douangdara, the 26 year old resulted in an assignment to Medal, The Bronze Star with in: son of Laotian immigrants, was the Naval Special Warfare unit “V” Device, The Joint Service among the 30 Americans killed where he served as a dog han- Commendation Medal with “V” Fundraising on August 6, 2011. The Chi- dler in support of Navy SEAL Device, Army Commendation Grant writing nook helicopter on which he Team Six. Medal, Presidential Unit Cita- and his dog rode was shot tion (2), Good Conduct Medal Giving presentations down by a rocket propelled Dog handling was not his first (2), National Defense Service goal, though. Originally, John Soliciting in kind grenade in Wardak Province, Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Afghanistan. intended to work on a nuclear donations Medal (3), Iraq Campaign submarine, but that objective Medal, Global War on Terror- Newsletter editing Described by his siblings as was passed by when a passion ism Medal, Sea Service Deploy- both “geeky” and “quiet”, for dogs interceded. ment Ribbon (3), Overseas Ser- Social networking John’s love of the military vice Deployment Ribbon (3) Petty Officer 1st Class pushed him to graduate a se- Rifle Marksmanship Medal and Contact us for more Douangdara’s decorations in- mester early from his South Pistol Marksmanship Medal. info: [email protected] Sioux City, Nebraska high clude The Purple Heart, The school and head to Illinois for Defense Meritorious Service John Douangdara, is buried in Navy’s basic training. Arlington National Cemetery. Pa ge 2 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 4, Issue 2
Johnwww.mwdtsa.org Douangdara: My Brother, My Friend, My Hero By Chan Follen
Johnny with Toby, in the mountains. The only time Johnny ever called home in tears was regarding Toby’s death. Toby was Killed In Action. The action remains classi- fied, but we do know that Toby and Johnny saved six lives that day .
My name is Chan Follen; I am nickname, was the typical boy. who could be counted on, and would make him proud if one of the sister of the late John As he matured into a teenager, that trait stayed with him us would join. “Army—Be All Douangdara, the lead dog han- so did his leadership; he did throughout his life. When his You Can Be” is what we saw eve- dler for the Elite Seal Team 6. not blindly follow others. military friends were deployed, ryday when we walked out of our John and his Military Working While countless local kids he would step in. One of his home. Dog, Bart, were both on the were often pulled into gangs friend’s daughters was dis- Towards the end of Johnny’s jun- Chinook helicopter that was and drugs or the lesser evil of traught that her father was un- ior year in high school he began shot down on August 6, 2011. I skipping school, Johnny re- able to attend a father-daughter weighing future options. He vis- want to share with you a more mained steadfast; he was sim- school function, but was ec- ited recruiters and by the begin- personal side of John that you ply not susceptible to peer static when Johnny stood in for ning of his senior year he had probably have not heard or read pressure. her dad. He sometimes also made up his mind to enlist in the about. While others boys were ro- babysat for his Seal Team Navy. He specifically wanted to My parents fled Laos, a small mancing girls, Johnny was friends so they could make the work in the Navy’s nuclear pro- land-locked country situated in working on computers at most of their time at home, gram. In fact, his blueprint was to Indochina, back in 1980, with home. He was pretty much a taking their wives out on “date graduate from high school a se- just me in tow. Born Decem- computer geek. — a well night”. mester early (December) and head ber 29, 1984 in Sioux City Iowa, loved computer geek. He From as far back as I can re- to boot camp in January. John was the third child of five thrived on school activities member, my father was always My brother, Pan, and I questioned siblings. Our family actually and enjoyed the challenges of trying to get one of his kids in Johnny to find out if the Navy grew up on the Nebraska side debate team, an activity that the military. My mother’s father was what he really wanted to do. of the Missouri River in South bolstered his skills in research, was a Captain in the Laotian Personally, I could not see my Sioux City. For my family, Ne- public speaking, persuasion, Army. My father knew that the geeky little brother succeeding in braska was a vast change from teamwork and finding oppo- military would add discipline the military. He was small - 5’5” communist Laos and our Bud- nents weaknesses. and structure to our lives so we and maybe 115 pounds - and dhist foundation; but America He had tons of friends and always stopped at the recruiter’s would probably have to prove was an opportunity we always avoided conflict during the office every time we went to the himself over and over. We offered respected. normal tumultuous teenage mall. We even had an Army to pay for his college, even if that As a child, Johnny, our family’s years. He was an individual bumper sticker on our front meant taking out personal loans door that reminded us that it Volume 4, Issue 2 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Pa ge 3
www.mwdtsa.org for him. But, Johnny was ada- mant about going into the mili- Johnny’s last partner, Bart, tary and that was that. Debate (shown at left) lost his life over. Johnny graduated mid- terms in 2002 and headed to on the Chinook with the Great Lakes, IL for Navy boot other 30Americans. camp in January of 2003. Johnny went in as a Master at I am now taking my Arms (security and force pro- brother, Johnny’s, passion tection) and after completing his school, he headed to Sicily, and his legacy and making Italy. In his calls and letters, we it my passion. could tell he was homesick and it broke my heart hearing my MWDTSA’s missions in- baby brother so unhappy. It clude supporting, recogniz- appeared it was going to be a long three year tour for all of ing and honoring dog us. teams. A few weeks passed and I no- ticed his mood had changed. Johnny would call me, but in- that I learned the full story of talking about his dogs. His first ing the occasion. stead of hearing muted voices, Johnny being drawn into the deployment to Iraq scared me. the background noises were Going through all of Johnny’s kennel. Billy shared with me He had a bomb sniffing dog and personal belongings after he now barking dogs. I asked that, indeed, Johnny was miser- they worked the gates. I told what he was doing at the ken- passed, one could tell how able in Sicily. Billy felt badly for Johnny that he needed to call or much each and every dog he nels and he told me he was him so he invited Johnny to stop email me to let me know he was watching the dogs that were handled meant to him. He had by the kennels and hang out with safe. We never talked about how all kinds of pictures of his retired, but unadoptable. They him. Billy felt like he needed to it was over there. We both knew would stay in the Navy until dogs all over his house and on take this young kid under his it was dangerous, but our phone his cell phone. their last breath. I asked him if wings and make his stay a little conversations were more of get- that was a hard thing to do, and easier by befriending him. That is ting his mind away from this Most especially, he had he told me he spent time giving when Billy discovered that dangerous place. Toby’s ashes in his room. great care to these K9s before Toby was a dog he had on Johnny loved being in the ken- Never complaining, Johnny was they had to go. You could tell nels and being with dogs. Johnny deployment on his second in his voice that he loved being the type of guy to make the best tour in Iraq. Tragically, Toby would work 10-12 hour shifts at of things in any situation. An around these dogs. the security gate and then would was Killed in Action in 2008, example of that are the pictures the only time Johnny ever Then, a wonderful surprise: go to the kennels and volunteer he would send me. He would Johnny called me to tell me that his time at the kennel for a cou- called home in tears. The ac- email me pictures himself with tion remains classified, but we he would be in San Antonio, ple of hours. Once Billy realized his dogs and he always had them Texas for canine school. I was that Johnny loved being with the do know that Toby had saved wearing silly accessories. He had 6 Canadian lives that day and ecstatic since I lived in Dallas dogs, and that he had this natural bunny ears on one dog for and was going to see my baby understanding of them, Billy put our family was gifted with a Easter. He had to celebrate his plaque from the Canadian brother more often now. in a word for Johnny to head to 21st birthday in Iraq, but he sent canine school in San Antonio. Military to honor Johnny and It was not until after Johnny me a picture of him and his dog Toby, after Johnny’s passing. had passed and I met Billy, a After canine school, Johnny with Hawaiians leis and a bottle Kennel Master for the Navy, loved his job. He never stopped of sparkling grape juice celebrat- See John- Continued bottom page 6 Thanks Newnan Kennel Club for your continued awesomeness! Pa ge 4 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 4, Issue 2 www.mwdtsa.org
PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Affects Handlers and Their Dogs Just A Dog K9 PTSD
For those who experience the trauma of war first hand, writing and artwork allow an exploration of life events at a personal pace: slowly and controlled. The results can be raw, but helpful and healing emotions. This poem was written by one of the many Vietnam Veteran dog handlers as part of his personal healing process. By Dixie Whitman Reports surfaced recently regarding canine Post Traumatic Stress Disor- As I sat on the front steps of the store I saw the old truck pull up der, PTSD. As a long time dog A young boy got out and kicked a dog that was barely a pup fancier, I am intrigued that educated I asked the boy why he did such a thing, he looked at me, looking real mean people are just now realizing some- “Just Another Dog” the boy replied, with a sarcastic smile. thing that animal folks have known for years, animals have emotions I told him if he kicked it again I’d come over and he could kick on me for awhile and feelings. Aren’t you Bob Johnson’s boy I asked as he entered the store? People with PTSD can relive trau- He said “Yes” and I said boy come here, I’ll tell you about your daddy and the war matic experiences through night- We were about your age during our tour in Vietnam mares, flashbacks, fear, sleeping problems and more. Your Dad was later wounded in that lousy land Go ask your Daddy about “Just Another Dog” and maybe he’ll tell In dogs, the symptoms are not terri- bly different: hyper-vigilance, avoid- About how a four legged soldier saved him from dying in that living hell ance, personality changes or a com- His name was Casey; there wasn’t much he didn’t know plete work stoppage. He showed your daddy where to walk, where to stay and where to go Treatments can be more difficult in It was a typical day in Vietnam, rain and sunshine, both at the same time dogs because we humans can only observe canine behavior, but the When Casey saw something 50 yards in front of the line. dogs cannot explain what is wrong He alerted your daddy, the team was saved, and all got off the trail in language that we can easily under- If it hadn’t been for Casey your daddy would have died in that living hell stand. Casey wasn’t as lucky; he died that day saving your daddy and his friends For some dogs, removal from the There were others, soon to earn the trust and love, becoming the soldier’s best friend front line and down time with exer- cise and play corrects their problem. They served without complaint, only to be betrayed, the ultimate sin But more serious cases may require Classified as equipment they were left there to die, the trust still glimmering in their eyes counter-conditioning, a form of We didn’t get a last chance to see them, thank them or even say good bye desensitization, medications or both. If it hadn’t been for Casey, every year your Mom would go to Washington D.C. If dogs are not able to be recover Find your Daddy’s name, make a rubbing, and bring it home for you to see from their stress disorder, they may become eligible for retirement and Now you go on home and ask your Daddy about “Just Another Dog “and how he died adoption. For more information on As the boy turned around I saw the tear in his eye, I’m sorry mister I heard him say, it adoption with forms and facts: won’t happen again http://www.lackland.af.mil/units/3 As I left the store, I turned and saw him putting in the truck, his new 4-legged friend 41stmwd/index.asp Volume 4, Issue 2 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Pa ge 5
www.mwdtsa.org Super Bowl in a Box
The bandana, which the MWDs can sport during their down time, proudly proclaims that “MWDs are MVPs”, a sentiment to which all dog handlers can relate. Thanks to our ever amazing print shop, Christian Print Shop, and the superman printing talents of Issac, we Super Bowl Sunday was the theme included a freshly printed bandana in for our recent care packages., What every “Super Bowl in a Box” package comes to mind when you think of that shipped. Issac ever amazes as he Super Bowl games? Football, consistently engineers answers to snacks, half-time performances and seemingly impossible requests. commercials? It is the biggest yearly celebration for American sporting If you need imprinted apparel, pro- enthusiasts and our deployed han- motional items or, bandanas, please dlers love watching it! stop by Christian Print Shop in Al- pharetta, GA or visit them online at: Chan, our amazing care package http://www.cpsscreenprint.com/ coordinator, planned something football-y for the Military Working Another round of packages planned Dogs (MWDs) so we added an awe- for handlers with the theme of “Fun some Air KONG or Squeekee in the Sun” is scheduled for May. KONG football, a Super Bowl dog We can use your help to prepare. snack and created this great K9 Su- We will be posting more information Shown above: Isaac McGuire, owner/ printer at Christian Print per Bowl bandana, in lieu of jerseys, on our website “Wish List” with up- Shop, our printing partner. to honor the K9 contingent. dated details on the items that we are Super Bowl in a Box care packages actively soliciting: collapsible water shipped to handlers January 13th. A bowls, Doggles, KONG flyers, cool- Shown below: The first Super Bowl in a Box to roll off of our peek inside our boxes shows a ing collars, doggy shampoo, doggy “assembly line” filled with all of the fun and treats we could fit Kong football, an MWDTSA Super wipes, sun tan lotion, foot care, cur- inside, just in time for Super Bowl Sunday. Bowl doggy bandana, Queso Blanco, rent books and more. Check out the jalapenos, crackers, popcorn, Bacon complete updated listing at: Salt and a doggy treat. http://www.mwdtsa.org/wishlist.ht Right on time, Community Coffee ml provided us with another shipment Please contact us at: of French roast and coffee mugs info@ mwdtsa.org to find out how which were shipped out the very you or your organization can help! next day and were a huge hit, once And, remember, “Fun in the Sun” is again. The few scattered open an upbeat way to say that the deploy- spaces remaining in the boxes, were ments in Afghanistan are hot and filled with additional dog toys, and miserable during the summer. You doggy snacks. We received a big can help us send a reminder of ex- thumbs up from handlers on these actly how strongly Americans support boxes. (Doggies don’t have oppos- their military dogs and handlers by able thumbs, but we are sure they supporting our efforts to get needed would give us a thumbs up, too, if cooling and personal care items into they could.) the care packages of our dog teams. Pa ge 6 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Volume 4, Issue 2 www.mwdtsa.org
New Members of MWDTSA’s Speakers’ Bureau
If you are interested in having a member of our Speaker’s Bureau make a presentation on behalf of MWDTSA, please contact us at info@ mwdtsa.org and we will check on availability. Dr. Danielle Bercier—Southern Alabama-Mobile Bay Danielle Bercier is an equine veterinarian with special emphasis in sports medicine and reproduction. She currently owns a practice in lower Alabama where she is also active in training and showing her German Shepherds in Schutz- hund and AKC tracking and obedience events. She has a strong interest in furthering public awareness of the unique talents of working/service dogs and encourages dog owners to teach their own animals the manners they need to be loved by all. Ken Besecker— UGA Territory– Georgia Ken Besecker is a Vietnam Veteran who served with the 62nd Combat Tracker Team as the commanding officer and continued his love of dogs by spearheading the formation of both the Augusta German Shepherd Dog Club and Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc. One of his driving goals is to never have another generation of America’s troops return home from war not knowing they are appreciated.
Brandon Gilbert– Northeastern Utah Brandon Gilbert, 15, has a keen interest in animals. Showing a steer at this year’s Cache County Fair, Brandon also spends free time with Maddi his gorgeous Golden Retreiver. His next big goal is to earn his Eagle Scout Award and as part of his project, Brandon is required to plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a ser- vice project. He chose to hone his art of public speaking in an effort to shine a beam of light on the needs of military working dogs and the missions of MWDTSA.
John Douangdara Continued from page 3 So many fellow handlers re- side with his military working dog, Working Dog Team Support counted stories of how great a it seemed natural for me to carry Association, Inc. (MWDTSA). Below: A favorite photo handler Johnny was: from on his legacy and ensure that han- I am now taking my brother, of the author, Chan, with taking the most difficult dogs dlers and their dogs are well sup- Johnny’s, passion and his leg- her little brother, Johnny. and being able to work with plied and taken care of. acy and making it my passion. them to how he would baby For this reason, I have joined the his dogs by carrying them Board of Directors of Military around the kennel over his shoulders. I can honestly say that these Johnny, dogs were his passion. So dy- like most ing beside his dog and his fel- handlers, low comrades, those in whom loved to Johnny trusted his life, would have been, to Johnny, an hon- accessorize orable way to leave this earthly his dogs. life. It has however, left a Here seen hole in our lives. We love celebrating him; we miss him. his 21st Knowing that my brother’s birthday in passion was to work protect- ing this great country side by Iraq. Volume 4, Issue 2 MWDTSA KENNEL TALK Pa ge 7
www.mwdtsa.org
Super Bowl Boxes: Bounty Enjoyed in Afghanistan
Thanks to everyone who supported this box. What a great way to turn a handler into a Super Hero. Who else but a Super Hero could pull dog toys and treats out of the air in Afghanistan.
A variety of Military Working Dogs show off the bounty of their “Super Bowl in a Box” packages. Best items found in the boxes?
The dogs vote: football toys & doggy snacks. Handlers vote: dog bandanas.
Thanks from our deployed dogs to all their supporters! Sweet Support from Hawaii Pacific University
Need another reason to head at Hawaii Pacific University for over to the beautiful state of their hard work on behalf of Mili- Hawaii? Here is it, a sweet, tary Working Dog Teams. sweet table filled with bakery This is the second event spear- treats. All proceeds from this headed by Emily in support of bake sale were sent to military dogs. We are appreciative MWDTSA to support our mis- of all of the hard work, and dedica- sions; they were channeled into tion that it took to put on this care packages for our deployed event. We love the yummy results! dog teams. “Mahalo” Emily, to you and your Many thanks once again to friends. We appreciate you! Emily Diedrich and her friends Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc. Sit. Stay. Support.
MWDTSA P. O. Box 5864 Canton, GA 30114 Editor: Dixie Whitman Phone: 404-451-2539 E-mail: [email protected]
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Navy Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Matthew DuPont trains with his military working dog during an exercise at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., June 25, 2010. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communica- tion Specialist 3rd Class Michael McNabb/Released)
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Wayne Snelling (left) watches as Lance Cpl. Taylor Slay shares a piece of his steak with Mac, a military working dog, at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan's Helmand province on April 17, 2011. Steak Team Mis- sion, a nonprofit organi- zation from Texas, served 2nd Marine Division's Marines and sailors steak dinners in seven locations within a five-day period. DoD photo by Sgt. Ear- nest J. Barnes, U.S. Ma- rine Corps. (Released)
Giant thanks to Top Dogs Pet Boutique & Customers !!!