Operation Enduring Freedom

Operation Enduring Freedom
K9 team pictures / Donation update

The Kennel Master, Antonio Rodriguez (Arod), is from Randolph AFB in San Antonio Texas, Danny and I met him a year or so ago. He attended a Helper Seminar the club hosted as well coming down to trials and club training when he could. We also got to go up and visit the K9 unit at Randolph and watch his team at training. We hadn't seen him in a while and just thought he was busy - but last week he responded to the weekly training times/place email. I have pasted his basic story below.

He is currently in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan as kennel master/MWD liaison in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. We are just north of Afghanistan and in addition to running a 7 handler kennel... We coordinate Airflow for K-9 teams for all coalition forces taking dog teams into Afghanistan. In the past 6 months the previous liaisons coordinated for ...billeted...and kenneled 60+ teams forward deploying.

Since the kennel and support facility was not originally designed to support this requirement they are looking for sponsorship from state side organization that can send items for the transient teams that arrive in-route. Many times they do not want to leave their dogs alone in our kennels and want to sleep close by to keep watch over them.

His facility is not set up to house a large number of personnel. They only have one shower and are located aprox. 2 miles from the main garrison area (where most of the support amenities are located). They are in need of the following items:

	Microwave food items
	Winter socks
	Towels
	Pillows
	~~Twin size bed sheet sets and pillow cases~~
	Basic hygiene items for males and females
	DVD movies
	Spare leashes, collars or choke chains
	~~Lastly for handlers sleeping out in the kennel runs... a TV w/DVD player combo~~ *(Note to all this item has already been sent so the DVD movies may flow freely)*

Also the guys thought it would be cool if we can send stickers (bumper) from some of the USA clubs so that we can put them on the vehicles...sort of like NASCAR sponsorship. He also sent me a couple pictures of some K-9 teams that they were passing through. They are from Hungry and Croatia. The teams get some training and then send them on their way the next day headed to Afghanistan.

Here are a few pictures of Antonio (Arod) and his troops as well as him at the Helper seminar

Antonio's K9 Troops
Hoffer Gizmo	Sgt Magon & mine dog Mina	Melissa Scotty

Arod with Conn	Arod and Conn Catch	Arod after the catch	Arod with Danny and Rob getting pointers
Arod and Celine	Arod and Celine in the drive	Arod thinking about the dog that is coming - Celine!	A few of the guys getting info - from Danny and Rob

Thank you to everyone who has been sending / emailing me. I also sent an email to my office and set up a box so people can do it as they can. I also want to make sure we recognize those who have sent me items. As you know from reading this - I would like to send stuff on a regular basis - so you still have time....

Thank you everyone. I know it was short notice but we want to send more boxes so send me note.

Donation Update

Contributors - I have tried not to miss anyone :)
If I did - please let me know.

	Dr Dena McGowan (Greater Houston SchH Club)
	Julia and Danny Grayson (Austin SchH Club)
	Linda Schuch (ResCare Inc.)
	Rob Dunn and Jessy Gabriel (Lone Star SchH Club)
	Tom and Theresa Carter (Austin SchH Club)
	Triple Crown Dog Academy
	Alvin Clemmons (Austin SchH Club)
	Janica Tansey / JT K9, LLC - and a new DVG group forming in Bloomington, Indiana
	Peter & Donna Murray (Ocean State SchH Club) and other employees of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company in CT
	Austin Schutzhund Club
	Kerman Hammond - Postnet
	Christine Hertling and Pheonix
	Theresa and Michael Zeniecki (ResCare Inc.)
	Kathy May (Greater Dallas Working Dog Club)
	Jennifer Lopez (ResCare)

I got a few emails from Arod and thought you would enjoy as I get info and pictures I will be posting them as well:

	One of the pckgs from you. Shampoo stuff, collars from TC and some movies. Thank you sooo much.
	Christine Hertling
	Dr. Dena McGowan (2 packages)
	Donna Morgan Murray
	Janica Tansey....WOW what a relief. Just in time for winter...winter socks, gloves, hats.
	DM Murray...The dogs and the handlers favorites...graham crackers and peanut butter crackers...other assorted items.

Send my thanks to all these individuals. The temperature is dropping at night and we should get some snow in the next couple days. Thank you all so much for the items sent. Everything will be put to good use

Arod

Hit Counter This page was updated on 10/20/2007