Military working dog seeks ‘furever’ home

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jaclyn Pienkowski
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Military working dog, Cleo, a 5-year-old German Sheppard has medically retired, here, and is ready to be adopted.

The 75-pound German Sheppard was trained in a joint-service community at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. He was certified in detection and reported to duty at Hurlburt Field in April 2012.

Since then, he has been a hard-working asset alongside Air Commandos ensuring installation safety until he was diagnosed with lumbosacral disease that caused him to retire early.

Lumbosacral disease limits mobility in Cleo’s lower body and causes him hip pain. He can still run, jump and play, but he has to be warned to slow down.

“If we were to take him out right now and do detection training with him, he would go a mile a minute and it wouldn’t even faze him,” said Tech. Sgt. Chad McCord, 1st Special Operations Security Forces military working dog NCO-in charge.

Although he has recently been medically retired and his activity is limited, Cleo still trains and plays with the other military working dogs. According to McCord, he needs to maintain an active lifestyle which can be easily accomplished with his toys and human companionship.

“Cleo is a very curious dog that loves exploring his environment, going for walks and swimming,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Troester, 1st SOSFS military working dog trainer. “He also enjoys playing with his toys and playing tug of war with his handler.”

For now, Cleo’s symptoms are being treated with prescription medication and physical therapy, but his symptoms will continue to progress and require treatment.

As a retired military working dog, he is eligible for support through the United States War Dogs Association who will provide him with medication, free of charge.

Cleo has also been offered free laser therapy from a veterinary technician at Eglin Air Force Base and from the Emerald Coast Animal Hospital.

Since his retirement, Cleo is still in search of his forever home and the 1st SOSFS is accepting applications.

“I think it would be a sense of pride for the family, knowing that this dog served our country and now they will be the ones to care for him and give him the life he deserves as a retired member of the U.S. Air Force,” said McCord. “That is definitely something for a kid to brag about and be proud of.”

The adoption process is free of charge, but requires an application, a meet and greet and an adoption agreement.

Anyone interested in adopting Cleo, should contact McCord for an application at 850-881-2254 or chad.mccord@us.af.mil.