K9 Hero Biographies
Learn about each of the K9 Heroes that have been painted and are part of the K9 Hero Portrait Project
K9 Lakota MWD Niko N352
MWD Gabe K153 SSD MWD Ddoc L258
K9 Zeke MWD Max K316
CWD Carlos EDD Sgt. Reckless
Joker
K9 Maggie
MWD Gabe K153 SSD MWD Ddoc L258
K9 Zeke MWD Max K316
CWD Carlos EDD Sgt. Reckless
Joker
K9 Maggie
2013 MWD Rronnie J532
MWD Rronnie is a Belgian Malinois who spent his last deployment in Afghanistan. Rronnie had 4 prevoius deployments which included three to Afghanistan and two to iraq in total spending more then 40 months to deployed locations. Rronnie is 8 years old and is set to retire after the deployment he is currently on. Rronnie has his picture in a children's book about MWDs and was also used extensively to help train other handlers. You can even google Rronnie and see pictures of him getting lifted by a helicopter. Rronnie is currently stationed in Grafenwoehr Germany and is currently deployed to OEF.
MWD Rronnie is a Belgian Malinois who spent his last deployment in Afghanistan. Rronnie had 4 prevoius deployments which included three to Afghanistan and two to iraq in total spending more then 40 months to deployed locations. Rronnie is 8 years old and is set to retire after the deployment he is currently on. Rronnie has his picture in a children's book about MWDs and was also used extensively to help train other handlers. You can even google Rronnie and see pictures of him getting lifted by a helicopter. Rronnie is currently stationed in Grafenwoehr Germany and is currently deployed to OEF.
2013 MWD Suzi F159
This K9 Hero was another of the fortunate ones to retire with her handler that she was deployed with. MWD Suzi F159 was an explosives and patrol dog in the Navy. Suzi sadly passed away September 21, 2011 but was a Dutch Shepherd with the sweetest and most loving personality her handler had ever known. She bravely served in two tours to Iraq, one with a former handler and the last tour (2006-2007) was with the handler who adopted her in June 2008. Suzi served with many of the other K9 Heroes in this series.
This K9 Hero was another of the fortunate ones to retire with her handler that she was deployed with. MWD Suzi F159 was an explosives and patrol dog in the Navy. Suzi sadly passed away September 21, 2011 but was a Dutch Shepherd with the sweetest and most loving personality her handler had ever known. She bravely served in two tours to Iraq, one with a former handler and the last tour (2006-2007) was with the handler who adopted her in June 2008. Suzi served with many of the other K9 Heroes in this series.
2013 CWD Narnia EDD
Meet CWD Narnia (ret)! Narnia, a purebred GSD, began life in 2006 and she was was picked out to begin training with a contract company to learn to become an explosives detection dog. Her first assignment was in Baghdad, Iraq. Later, she was sold to a new company, VCSI, and transferred to Afghanistan. In Kabul, Afghanistan, she worked for a company contracted by NATO to provide security. In Nov 2011, Narnia and her current owner met and formed an instant bond. When her owner redeployed, VCSI retired Narnia and joyfully, Narnia and her new owner traveled home on their Freedom Flight together. In total, Narnia served 5.5 years as an EDD. Later, her retirement vet determined she likely suffers from PTSD; which explains why she and her new handler and best friend get along so well...see, her owner has PTSD also. Today, Narnia serves as a service dog keeping her owner and fellow warrior grounded and at peace.
Meet CWD Narnia (ret)! Narnia, a purebred GSD, began life in 2006 and she was was picked out to begin training with a contract company to learn to become an explosives detection dog. Her first assignment was in Baghdad, Iraq. Later, she was sold to a new company, VCSI, and transferred to Afghanistan. In Kabul, Afghanistan, she worked for a company contracted by NATO to provide security. In Nov 2011, Narnia and her current owner met and formed an instant bond. When her owner redeployed, VCSI retired Narnia and joyfully, Narnia and her new owner traveled home on their Freedom Flight together. In total, Narnia served 5.5 years as an EDD. Later, her retirement vet determined she likely suffers from PTSD; which explains why she and her new handler and best friend get along so well...see, her owner has PTSD also. Today, Narnia serves as a service dog keeping her owner and fellow warrior grounded and at peace.
2013 SSD Jony L313
This is Jony, or more formally SSD Jony L313, and not so formally, "Junk Yard" as the soldiers in Afghanistan knew him. Jony was adopted by his handler/Dad, Sgt. Brian Riddle, and is happily living out his retirement. Sgt. Riddle wasn't aware that his family had contacted me shortly after him sending in Jony's nomination and asked if I could possibly get his portrait done by Sept 28th, the night of a surprise "Welcome Home" party for Sgt. Riddle who is now retired as of Aug. 2013. Jony and I (and his portrait) snuck in the side door of the hall where the celebration was taking place and both were presented. Sgt. Riddle is a two time purple heart recipient and multiple award recipient including the JINSA Grateful Nation Award. Two very deserving soldiers, and I hope I did Jony justice with his portrait. So glad these two soldiers are now home safe.
This is Jony, or more formally SSD Jony L313, and not so formally, "Junk Yard" as the soldiers in Afghanistan knew him. Jony was adopted by his handler/Dad, Sgt. Brian Riddle, and is happily living out his retirement. Sgt. Riddle wasn't aware that his family had contacted me shortly after him sending in Jony's nomination and asked if I could possibly get his portrait done by Sept 28th, the night of a surprise "Welcome Home" party for Sgt. Riddle who is now retired as of Aug. 2013. Jony and I (and his portrait) snuck in the side door of the hall where the celebration was taking place and both were presented. Sgt. Riddle is a two time purple heart recipient and multiple award recipient including the JINSA Grateful Nation Award. Two very deserving soldiers, and I hope I did Jony justice with his portrait. So glad these two soldiers are now home safe.
2013 MWD Rocky C230
Rocky started his military career in the Navy in 2001 and served in many deployments to Iraq.
MWD Rocky assisted with many POTUS/VPOTUS missions as well as being an extra K9 on the show NCIS. During his time in the military, MWD Rocky also was the emotional support for not only his handler, but other soldiers they worked with. Serving as patrol and explosives detector, MWD Rocky also shared the role as best friend to many of the soldiers, always eager to lend an ear to talk to. After retiring and being adopted by his handler, MWD Rocky continued on with his work to help with demonstrations to bring awareness of MWD programs to adults and children. MWD Rocky lived a long life of 13 years but sadly passed April of 2012.
Rocky started his military career in the Navy in 2001 and served in many deployments to Iraq.
MWD Rocky assisted with many POTUS/VPOTUS missions as well as being an extra K9 on the show NCIS. During his time in the military, MWD Rocky also was the emotional support for not only his handler, but other soldiers they worked with. Serving as patrol and explosives detector, MWD Rocky also shared the role as best friend to many of the soldiers, always eager to lend an ear to talk to. After retiring and being adopted by his handler, MWD Rocky continued on with his work to help with demonstrations to bring awareness of MWD programs to adults and children. MWD Rocky lived a long life of 13 years but sadly passed April of 2012.
2013 MWD Alan F201
Serving as protection for the V.P and First Lady, Alan served many times protecting and sniffing out every nook and cranny before allowing anyone to enter the premises, whether planes, hotels, or buildings.
Serving as protection for the V.P and First Lady, Alan served many times protecting and sniffing out every nook and cranny before allowing anyone to enter the premises, whether planes, hotels, or buildings.
2013 Bleky L293 SSD
Bleky L293 SSD, is a retired Sable German Shepherd who last served out of Fort Jackson with the 171st Infantry Brigade, 208th MP Detachment. After a tour in Iraq, Bleky's military career with the Army ended due to a severe back injury that required surgery. Though hopes were high that Bleky would return to military work, the activity caused too much discomfort, thus Bleky was retired. Bleky L293 was adopted on Veterans Day in 2012 and is enjoying his retirement with his adoptive family and new friends.
2013 MWD Ddamien D214
What happens when you mix a GSD with a Belgian Malinois? A fearsome explosives and patrol K9 Hero, that's what. This is MWD Ddamien D214, a K9 Hero who was such a legend that there were even rumors that you had to feed him by pushing the food bowl in his kennel with a squeegee. Ddamien protected and served up until 2010, three years after he was diagnosed with PTSD. Ddamien served on eight deployments in total including Iraq, Afghanistan, Buhrain and Kuwait. This "Devil Dog of San Diego" was adopted by someone who knew this special K9 needed lots of love and attention and would build a bond with him unsurpassed. Ddamien lived a long 12 years of life before being laid to rest due to old age.
What happens when you mix a GSD with a Belgian Malinois? A fearsome explosives and patrol K9 Hero, that's what. This is MWD Ddamien D214, a K9 Hero who was such a legend that there were even rumors that you had to feed him by pushing the food bowl in his kennel with a squeegee. Ddamien protected and served up until 2010, three years after he was diagnosed with PTSD. Ddamien served on eight deployments in total including Iraq, Afghanistan, Buhrain and Kuwait. This "Devil Dog of San Diego" was adopted by someone who knew this special K9 needed lots of love and attention and would build a bond with him unsurpassed. Ddamien lived a long 12 years of life before being laid to rest due to old age.
