Originally created Thursday, November 20, 2008
Yossi earns retirement as working dog
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Thursday, Nov. 13, was a day that a hero hung up the military lifestyle for a new life of happiness and leisure.
The hero's name is Yossi. He's a military working dog for the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay K-9 unit.
MA2 Wilkinson Kinyon of Naval Submarine Kings Bay Security Department, the dog's handler is proud of the job Yossi has done.
"Dog handlers get attached to our dogs because," Kinyon said. "We spend more time with them than any one person.
"Yossi was a good dog. He worked when it was time to work and relaxed when it was time to relax. Yossi can go from doing an attack drill one minute to getting his ear scratched by kindergartners another minute, with no issues."
Yossi started his service as a military working dog in April 2001 in phase training in San Antonio, Texas. Yossi studied hard and excelled and was certified patrol drug dog on April 10, 2002. Then he began his career here at Kings Bay.
During his time onboard the Naval Station Yossi worked hard being responsible for over 900 hours of search time, including thousands of vehicles, hundreds of barracks and other buildings and numerous open area searches. Yossi also has searched Submarines home ported Submarines here at Kings Bay.
At the kennel where the MWDs stay and train, you can see head stones from dogs who have served before Yossi. Some military working dogs are put to sleep when they are done serving, due to ailments or injuries. Military working dogs Rico and Prins have had memorial services.
Handler MA2 Wilkinson Kinyon and the dog of the hour walk through side buoys (left) as they pipe Yossi off on into retirement. The German Shepherd spent more than six years in the Military Working Dog program. Photos by MC1(SW) Joe Sabo
"I am happy to be Yossi's last handler because my request to take Yossi home with me was approved," Kinyon said. "Instead of a memorial service, we are giving him a retirement service."
The service was complete with a plaque and side buoys for Yossi and his handler to proudly walk through.
Yossi held his head up as he walked through with a mild sway to his step. Yossi has a genetic disease called hip dysplasia. The German Shepherd needs to be neutered to not pass the disease on. But, other than the slight sway to his step, Yossi was in bright spirits as he got his ears scratched and his fur petted by the guests.
But he is leaving service with collar full of awards.
Yossi has been awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Medal (1), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (1), Global War Expedition Medal (1) and the Iraqi Campaign Medal for his hard work and service.
"As a dog handler you get really close to the dogs you work with," Kinyon said. "They are closer than your buddy, almost closer than a wife, because you are with the dog the majority of your day training and cleaning and caring for them."
Some dogs have the perfect demeanor for their job.
"Yossi could be doing strike drills, get commanded to stop, and five minutes later have a tail wagging while getting petted by kindergarteners," MA2(AW) Tarrel James said. "His transition to civilian life will be smooth, because he has a such a good temperament when not working that he is going to love the attention he gets now."
