For years, thousands of military dogs were being disposed of or left overseas, being classified as “equipment”. American Humane worked with Congress to require that military working dogs be brought back to U.S. soil once they retire and that their handlers and their families be given first rights to adoption.
Wednesday morning, Staff Sergeant Charles A. Ogin IV was reunited with his four-legged friend, Military Working Dog PEDD (Patrol Explosive Detector Dog), RRobiek.
“I’m excited to return the favor of him keeping me safe on the road and deployed as my partner at Fort Myer, Fort McNair, and Arlington National Cemetery. I love his personality, he is extremely relaxed until it comes time to work. “– SSG Charles A. Ogin IV
SSG Ogin enlisted in September 2005, and was Military Police until 2011, when he got lucky and met a guy by the name of SFC Bias at the West Point Military Academy where he was stationed. He had always wanted to work in the K9 Unit and it was a large reason why he wanted to become a Military Police. With the guidance of SFC Bias, he was able to start K9 school in 2011 at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX and by February 2012 was stationed as K9 at Fort Bliss, TX.
RRobiek was born on June 1st, 2010 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. MWDs (Military Working Dogs) are either procured or bred specifically for their job. After he was born, RRobiek lived in a foster home until he was old enough to go back to Lackland for training.
The two were paired at JBMHH (Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall Virginia) in the spring of 2014, when RRobiek came back from CJSOTF (Special Forces) with Matthew Holley. SSG Ogin and RRobiek were together from that day until 2017, when they returned from Iraq/Syria. Right after the 2017 Army Ten Miler run at the Pentagon, SSG Ogin was moved to Old Guard 289thMilitary Police Company. In the spring of 2018, RRobiek was injured and relocated to Lackland AFB for surgery and rehab.
“American Humane is amazing. They have been nothing but helpful assisting with movement, planning a reunification, and ensuring everything went smooth with the liaisons at Lackland AFB.” – SSG Charles A. Ogin IV
With the help of generous donations, the American Humane will continue work to bring back retired military dogs and give them their forever home with the company of their former handlers.
The bond between these two soldiers is one that will last forever! Thank you both for your service!
Positively Osceola would like to give a very special thank you to SFC Leonel G. Castillo for reaching out to us with this very touching community story, and for helping us to make a Positive Difference in Osceola County!
