HONOLULU, HAWAII, February 18, 2021 — Retired Military Working Dog Bogi completed her journey across the Pacific Ocean, traveling from Iwakuni, Japan to Honolulu, Hawaii, where the five-year-old Belgian Malinois will enjoy her much-deserved retirement with her former handler, Marine Corps Sgt. Angela Cardone. A neck injury sustained during service rendered MWD Bogi eligible for an earlier-than-usual retirement. The two were reunited at the Queen Kapi’olani Hotel.
“American Humane is honored to provide the logistical and financial support necessary to bring MWD Bogi home,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane’s president & CEO. “Every dog that serves alongside our brave men and women in uniform deserves our thanks and a restful retirement.”
American Humane veterinarian Dr. Lesa Staubus travelled to Hawaii to ensure MWD Bogi’s health and safety during her journey home. American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, has worked alongside the U.S. Armed Forces for more than a century. Whenever retired MWDs need assistance getting back home, American Humane is happy to help reunite these brave service dogs with the people who care most about them – their former handlers.
According to Sgt. Cardone, “No matter what I could always depend on her for anything, she always put me in a better mood, and always shocked me when new training techniques started showing. She built my confidence as a dog handler and a person. It was as if I looked at her as my daughter.”
When Sgt. Cardone and MWD Bogi served together, the two regularly searched packages, cars, rooms, baggage and aircraft for potential threats. Sgt. Cardone began working with MWD Bogi when the pup was still fresh from her training, and the two worked together to build the skills that a successful MWD needs.
“American Humane is incredibly proud of our work supporting the nation’s veterans, including four-legged military K-9s who play a critical role in keeping their fellow troops safe,” said Dr. Ganzert. “We were honored to help reunite MWD Bogi and Sgt. Cardone and wish them the very best.”
Retired MWDs often have medical issues stemming from their physical jobs. American Humane works on reunifications and helps provide free specialty and preventative medical care to make retired MWDs as healthy and comfortable as possible during retirement.
About American Humane
American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization, founded in 1877. For more information, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org.
