(News Feature) Roy gets a star

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10): (News Feature) Roy gets a star

For troopers engaged in search-and-retrieval operations, having a trained military working dog (MWD) has again proven that dogs are really man's best friend.

This was proven anew when four-year-old Roy, one of the 149 MWDs assigned to the Philippine Army (PA), successfully detected four cadavers buried in a landslide triggered by Typhoon "Ineng" in Mankayan, Benguet last August.

At that time, Roy only recently finished his training and was on his first operation, Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said.

He added that Roy was a member of the PA's 5th K-9 Company and a Labrador and Aspin (Asong Pinoy/Askal) cross breed.

His potential to become a MWD was discovered while he was at the K-9 headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

At his tender age, he showed a drive, characterized by his love for balls (toys), running around, and chasing and playing with the handlers.

Exhibiting these traits, he went through the Basic Obedience Training.

After which, he specialized in combat tracking and finished the 6 months training just last February at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. He was then deployed at the 5th Infantry Division in Upi, Gamu, Isabela.

"Roy is a special MWD. Despite being a mixed breed, he is intelligent and capable. He can keep pace with the pure breeds," 5th K-9 Company team leader Sgt. Wilfredo Fiesta said.

Fiesta has been an MWD handler for almost 10 years already.

While Roy's handler, Pfc. Crisanto De Gracia, has been continuously training the former.

"Part of our daily routine is the continuous training exercise. As a handler, it is important to develop a bond with the dog. We do this with daily activities so that we can both be familiar with each other," he added.

For his involvement in the search and retrieval operations in Benguet, Roy and the Army K-9 Battalion received a Certificate of Recognition from the Bureau of Animal Industry.

Roy was also given a star by the Intelligence Service Group during their anniversary, for being a search-and-rescue dog.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=10&sid=&nid=10&rid=813675