Get Ready Iraq, First Class Budge and Boe are Coming

12-13-07

Get ready Iraq, were sending Sgts. First Class Budge and Boe. Budge and Boe are both black Labradors and have completed basic training. Some of the exercises they completed to get them ready for the stress and fighting overseas in Iraq are:

• Firing range time, this will help them get familiar with sights and sounds in the field.

• Hanging around the airport tar matt. By spending time at the airport both dogs will see helicopters and planes which will get them familiar with the whipping winds and sounds.

• The dogs must also spend time in crowed areas. Boe and Budge were then taken to a few malls during the holiday season where they saw plenty of crowds.

Both dogs have been training for months and have had some visits from the Guide Dog Foundation which was part of there back ground in training. As for now they will spend their remaining time here with Sgt. Jack Greene and Sgt Mike Calaway. Come spring time all four will go to Iraq and the dogs will be used there to work at Walter Reed facility, which is a facility for the soldiers that helps with treat and recovery of Battlefield stress. The dogs will play a therapy role at Walter Reed. The Military is hoping that having the dogs around can help the soldiers feel a certain sense of comfort.

Boe and Budge will be given the rank of Sergeant first class. This is to prevent them from possible abuse. No soldiers will have to solute them thought.

Mike Sergeant, chef training officer said that “Dogs are not going to be the answer, but they certainly will be an ice-breaker”. Meaning that they can help definitely help the soldieries when they do go and spends time at the Walter Reed facility.

Article by: Michael Scarlata

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