Dog handler reunites with canine companion Published Oct. 10, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Mike Young 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- After saying goodbye several years ago, a former military working dog handler with the 95th Security Forces Squadron was reunited with his old friend. Tech. Sgt. Jon Camplin, 95th SFS flight chief, recently adopted Cheeta, a 13-year-old female Dutch shepherd who was the first working dog of his career. "She seems to really enjoy retirement," Sergeant Camplin said. "She loves running around and interacting with my other dog, Fang." Sergeant Camplin received Cheeta in September 1998. A month after being introduced to his military sidekick, the two were deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Fox. Upon returning from their deployment, the dynamic duo was assigned to work with the Secret Service for President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. During that time, they assisted in 17 Secret Service missions. "Cheeta has been trained as a bomb dog as well as an attack dog," Sergeant Camplin said. "She is small for a typical attack dog, but she is very fast and aggressive when she needs to be." Keeping tabs on Cheeta throughout her career, Sergeant Camplin ensured he was the person to adopt her when the time came for the canine's retirement. "I have always considered her my favorite dog," Sergeant Camplin said. "I wanted to be the first person on the list to adopt Cheeta." In order to be adopted, military working dogs undergo a series of temperament tests, said Tech. Sergeant Justin Brodrick, 95th SFS MWD noncommissioned officer in charge. If they pass the tests, the dogs are offered to their previous handlers beginning from the most recent. Military canines who don't find refuge with their former handlers are sent to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, where they work as training dogs for future MWD handlers. They may also be offered as working dogs for local police agencies to continue their career. If the dogs don't get adopted by police agencies, they are eligible for adoption to the civilian community, Sergeant Brodrick said. However, the adopting civilian must pass certain inspections and tests to ensure the dog is properly cared for. "I feel the adoption process is a worthwhile program," Sergeant Brodrick said. "It has helped a lot of dogs, who have worked very hard, receive the retirement they deserve." For Cheeta, retirement came only after she inspected the Camplin residence of any explosives upon arrival. She found none. She walked in the house and started her routine, Sergeant Camplin said. Cheeta worked her way through the rooms, counterclockwise sniffing up, in and around the home. "Since then, Cheeta has really adapted well to her new style of living," Sergeant Camplin said. "Her two favorite things to do are playing with her new friend, Fang, and sleeping." Sergeant Camplin said he was really excited when he finally picked her up. "We have always had a special bond, and over the years, that bond has never been broken," Sergeant Camplin said. "I am glad she is finally home."