FORT BENNING, Ga. –
How many pounds of German Shepherd does it take to stop a person in his/her tracks? One hundred and two. Brig. Gen. Paula Lodi found that out today during her visit to Fort Benning. The commander of the Regional Health Command Atlantic toured Benning’s Veterinary Center and Military Police working dog kennel, after meeting with key team leaders at Martin Army Community Hospital.
Rudo and his handler, Sgt. Austin Moore showed off the patrol certified dog’s attack skills. And attack he did. The 4-year-old demonstrated several running assaults designed to take down suspects. Rudo is trained to bite and hold. He is also trained to detain and escort. The headstrong German Shepherd eagerly demonstrated both commands on the less than eager safety suited target.
Rudo is detection certified to sniff out drugs. His 6-year-old counterpart Melinda is also detection certified, but trained to alert on explosives. Melinda’s handler Cpl. Tristan Bivens put the Belgian Malinois through her paces, in an exhibition of obedience and athletic agility for the brigadier general. Melinda showcased her sweeping skills, methodically pacing left and right with the canine efficiency and phenomenal nose required to safely sniff out bombs.
During Lodi’s visit, Kennel Master Sgt. 1st Class Gloria Greenidge highlighted the benefits of their $1.9 million dollar facility. The current kennel now features 25 runs, with separate indoor, outdoor and sleeping areas for each working dog. It was built after a 2011 tornado ripped the aluminum roofing off the former facility. Greenidge admitted the multi-million dollar build is a vast improvement, but the incredible care the Veterinary Center offers the working dogs is what makes their mission possible. Greenidge said even if they have to call in the middle of the night, the veterinarians offer their unwavering support.
The brigadier general took the time to offer words of encouragement to the women and men who may one day be answering those middle of the night phone calls. During her tour of the Veterinary Center, the Distinguished Military Graduate of Rutgers University ROTC program dropped in on Benning’s newest class of interns. Lodi advised the First Year Graduate Veterinary Education captains to keep their minds open to all the possible ways to serve. The brigadier general also said to pay attention to their military instructors to learn what it’s like being a soldier leader when the interns become officers in charge of their own vet clinics.
Branch Chief Maj. Rachel Lawrence told Lodi the Veterinary Center offers top-notch preventive, surgical and dental care to around 4500 installation pets. Lawrence admitted taking care of the Military working dogs is the best part of her job. She said it’s an honor to treat the canine warriors who save lives every day, by protecting our installation and our servicemembers.