Retired military working dogs for adoption at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
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If you’ve ever wanted to adopt a retired military working dog, now is your chance.
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland announced this summer that retired military working dogs are looking for families, homes and couches.
But to qualify to adopt a former military working dog, potential adopters must meet several key requirements, including having a six-foot fence and no children under the age of five, according to a July 26 press release from Joint Base. San Antonio-Lackland. .
Additionally, potential adopters must provide two references and submit documents describing where the dog will live and how it will be cared for.
In total, the process can take up to two years.
According to the 341st Training Squadron, which trains military working dogs, civilian law enforcement has top priority in adopting these skilled dogs. Previous managers come next, followed by the general public.
An Air Force spokesperson told the Military Times that adoptions of all military working dogs take place at the 341st Training Readiness Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base.
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Jerry Britt, the 37th Training Wing’s MWD disposition coordinator, works to match dogs with potential adopters and said each dog is screened for aggression and interaction with people and other animals.
Although there is more interest in adopting puppies that do not progress through the military working dog training program, dogs that have served their country are well-behaved and have advanced obedience skills.
“You get the satisfaction of giving the retired military working dog a good place to spend the twilight years,” Britt said.
Britt is now in the process of helping Professor Robert Klesges of Tennessee adopt his second former military working dog. Klesges had previously adopted a German Shepherd named Fida, who was a combat tracker for the Marines and worked in detection training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
After her medical retirement in 2013, Klesges adopted her and was part of her family for nearly five years before her death.
“She was almost like a human with fur; she was so smart,” Klesges said. “She deserved to be treated like a queen.”
Klesges traveled to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in June to meet Britt, and is now waiting to return to base when he hears a new dog is ready to be brought home.
Potential adopters can contact mwd.adoptions@us.af.mil for more information on adopting a retired military working dog.
