JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – The 341st Training Squadron held its first military working dog expo Nov. 18, here.
Squadron personnel spent the morning doing detection, obedience, and patrol demonstrations. They also had a weapons display from the 37th Training Support Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance; foster and adoption information booths; and meet-and-greets with some dogs up for adoption.
Maj. Michael Bruton, Commander of the 341 TRS, shared they are hoping to continue doing expos in the future.
“Our goal is to have a MWD expo every six months,” Bruton said. “We want to continue showcasing our mission and amazing people to Joint Base San Antonio as well as our community. We have a very niche capability that is irreplaceable and is a key component to base defense and Department of Defense missions worldwide. It is our duty to advocate for and communicate on behalf of our four-legged family members in addition to unleashing our highly passionate and driven people that make the mission happen every day.”
Dogs up for adoption are typically those that retired from being a dog handler’s aid, has medical conditions and couldn’t continue training; or had a lack of progression during training and couldn’t continue.
Additionally, the squadron has a foster program where families can foster a puppy from age six weeks to seven months. To foster, the family must:
– Have a home with a secure 6-foot fence
– No children under 5-years-old
– No more than three dogs
– Attend monthly socialization and training sessions
– Lives within two hours of San Antonio
For more information regarding adoptions, email MWD.adoptions@us.af.mil; and for more information on the foster program, email MWD.foster@us.af.mil.
The 341st TRS falls under the 37th Training Group and is responsible for training and developing K9 professionals and MWDs to enhance the Department of Defense's global warfighting capability.