NAIROBI, Kenya —
Kenyan and American service members teamed up at the Kenyan army's 1st Canine Regiment headquarters here to share the best ways to treat and train military working dogs in the field, Aug. 6-10.
A U.S. Army veterinary team assigned to Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa's 404th Civil Affairs Battalion's Functional Specialty Team and a U.S. Navy military working dog kennel master based at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, took part in the training.
Founded in 2012, the 1st Canine Regiment's mission is to provide dogs as a force multiplier in war and peacetime in order to address the current threat of asymmetric warfare. To that end, they specialize in explosive detection, patrolling, road and building clearance, and search and rescue, said Kenyan army Maj. Marion Amulyoto, a veterinarian with the 1st Canine Regiment.
Dangerous Work
“We have been a valuable resource to our commanders, especially along the borders,” Amulyoto said. “Our explosive detection dogs deter violent extremists, because they are able to pick up on residual odors from explosives.”
This mission often brings dogs and their handlers to the Kenya-Somalia border to deter transnational threats, such as poachers, and violent extremist organizations, said U.S. Army Maj. Steven Pelham, the veterinarian officer in charge with the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion FXSP.
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