President, Congress and Air Force Let Military Working Dog Rex Go Home With His K9 Handler Tech. Sgt. Jamie Dana After Both Injured By IED In Iraq
Based on an article originally written by Tech. Sgt. Matt Gilreath
21st Space Wing Public Affairs
U.S. Air Force
A U.S. Air Force Airman attached to the 21st Security Forces Squadron is the first military working dog handler allowed to adopt her K-9 partner from active duty.
Tech. Sgt. Jamie Dana, a military working dog handler, has been waiting since
August 2005 for the official word after she requested to adopt her K-9, Rex. The two were injured in an improvised explosive (the infamous IED) attack on their Humvee, June 25, while they served in Iraq.
President George W. Bush signed a Defense Appropriations Bill on December 30, which allowed military working dogs to retire early and be adopted by their handlers following traumatic
events.
Sergeant Dana received a certificate approving the adoption from squadron commander Maj. Paul Cairney. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne provided the final written approval based on the new legislation.
Jaime Dana is still recuperating from her wounds.
“The past couple weeks have been hard to deal with. So I tried to keep myself as busy as possible so I didn’t have to think about it,” Sergeant Dana said. “Normally keeping myself busy meant being in a lot of pain in the evenings because I have a habit of pushing myself too
hard.”
Sergeant Dana said she really didn’t know how to feel after she heard the news because of the different opinions people have about her request to adopt Rex.
“I had mixed emotions when I found out the bill had passed. I was so happy — on one hand —
that Rex and I could stay together. But on the other hand I’ve heard very hurtful things from several people,” she said.
According to a member of her squadron public affairs team, there are several Web sites that have posted both positive and negative feedback concerning her adoption of Rex. However, the Air Force has backed her 100 percent.
“They were injured together and they should heal together,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Holmes, the Air Force director of Security Forces and Force Protection.
Sergeant Dana also had support from Congress and the Senate.
“They told me they wouldn’t support my request if they thought letting me adopt Rex would cost one Soldier their life,” Sergeant Dana said. “I wouldn’t want to put anyone at risk either.”
Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley, said the adoption was a positive event.
“This has been a team effort between both houses of Congress and I’m just glad to see that there’s a happy ending,” he said.
The president’s signature was one of many needed to complete the retirement and adoption process. Sergeant Dana’s signature was one of the last on the document to complete the adoption.
“The certificate arrived today and now that the ceremony is over I feel both extremely happy and very relieved,” Sergeant Dana said.
Sergeant Dana also has plans to separate from the Air Force.
“Rex will accompany me wherever I may end up (in veterinary school somewhere). And hopefully we will be able to do some search and rescue work after I am strong enough to handle it,” she said.
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