Dragons Hometown Heroes Program Honors Military Working Dog Handlers of the 88th Security Forces Squadron

DAYTON, Ohio -- The Dayton Dragons will honor Military Working Dog Handlers of the 88^th Security Forces Squadron as “Hometown Heroes” during the game on Tuesday, May 14 as they take on the Great Lakes Loons at Day Air Ballpark. The game will start at 7:05p.m.

The Dayton Dragons shine the spotlight on the military, past and present, through the Hometown Heroes program. This program hosts military families at every Dragons game, recognizing outstanding military organizations, groups, and individuals.

88^TH Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog Handlers

A Military Working Dog (MWD) Handler is responsible for protecting and defending a base with their loyal canine partner by their side. MWDs provide a variety of services to the military including:

Detection: Many MWDs are trained to detect explosives, drugs, or other substances. Their keen sense of smell makes them invaluable for locating hidden threats.

Patrol and Security: MWDs assist in patrolling military installations, providing a deterrent to potential intruders and enhancing security measures.

Combat Support: In combat zones, MWDs accompany troops on missions, helping to detect ambushes, locate enemies, and provide early warning.

Search and Rescue: Some MWDs aid in locating missing persons or trapped individuals in disaster situations.

Each canine is assigned a handler with whom they form a close bond. The 88th Security Forces Squadron currently has seven active MWD Handlers. The responsibility of a handler is to develop canines into highly skilled warriors.

Handlers ensure each MWD can successfully undergo rigorous training to support deployment and uphold search and rescue, bomb and drug detection, and secret service escort missions. Additionally, handlers are responsible for the overall well-being of their dogs. They ensure the dogs are in peak physical condition to perform their duties effectively.

Military Working Dogs and their handlers are invaluable assets to military forces worldwide, providing unique capabilities and enhancing the effectiveness of missions across the globe.

The Dayton Dragons Hometown Heroes program is made possible by the generous support of the Dayton Development Coalition, HII Mission Technologies, Synergy Building Systems and Reynolds & Reynolds.

For more information, please visit daytondragons.com/hometownheroes.