Royal Australian Air Force Military Working Dogs considered for retirement

Updated

Man's best friend is being given a new lease of life within the Royal Australian Air Force.

For the first time at RAAF Amberley, a new program is allowing Military Working Dogs to be considered for retirement with their handlers.

Historically, the animals have been put down at the end of their service as they were considered too dangerous to go back into the community.

Sergeant Russ Durre, who heads the Military Working Dog Unit at RAAF Amberley, says it is "a big step from what we've done in the past".

"We now can release dogs from military service into their handlers' care and they can spend the rest of their years out in the home environment rather than the service environment."

Sorry, this video has expired Video: RAAF Military Working Dogs considered for retirement (ABC News)

Military Working Dog (MWD) Turk is the first animal from Amberley to successfully complete the assessment.

Turk has switched the base for the backyard and now lives with former handler, Corporal Bruce Ross.

"To have him home is extremely important not only for me but for every other handler in the defence force," Corporal Ross said.

"They can see if the dog has the right temperament, then they can be actually brought home."

You've got the psychological effect - nobody wants to get bitten by a dog, (especially) a well-trained German Shepherd or Belgian Malanois John Baguley, RAAF Military Working Dogs Supply Manager

After eight years of service in the RAAF, Turk's gentle nature made him a prime candidate for retirement.

However, the highly-trained German Shepherd still had to pass a rigorous assessment process to prove he was suitable for civilian life.

Turk underwent testing on base to see how he reacted to stress, and was assessed both in public to see how he handled attention and at the RSPCA to gauge his interaction with other dogs.

Not all dogs will be suitable for retirement

But since the animals are bred and specially trained to detect and detain intruders, not all dogs will be suitable for release.

"Some dogs just can't be let out into public," Sergeant Durre said.

John Baguley, the RAAF Military Working Dogs Supply Manager in charge of the breeding program at Amberley, led the push to have Military Working Dogs considered for retirement.

He said the benefits extend beyond those for the dog and handler.

"The dogs provide tremendous psychological deterrent for would-be intruders onto military bases," he said..

"You've got the psychological effect - nobody wants to get bitten by a dog, (especially) a well-trained German Shepherd or Belgian Malanois.

"It's obviously a morale tool, but it also will affect retention of the military working dog handlers."

Sgt Durre agrees the program is a positive move that brings the RAAF in line with other agencies that use working dogs.

"I think one of the hardest parts of this job was handlers losing dogs," he said.

"Seeing Turk go through this process has been a positive experience for me and for Corporal Ross.

"It's good to see a dog who has given most of his life to RAAF finally go home with his handler."

After a distinguished career, Turk has passed his assessment with flying colours and is now enjoying a quiet retirement at his new home in Ipswich.

"He will not be used as anything other than a pet in this backyard," Corporal Ross said.

"He'll be going for walks, and it's a normal life for the dog like anyone else has their pet dogs.

"That's what [Turk] will now have."

Topics: animals, defence-forces, amberley-4306

First posted