JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
For Howard and Rony, being selected to participate in the Police Week competition at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, when no one thought they could do it, wasn’t easy.
There were 30 other teams, most of whom U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Benjamin Howard, 633rd Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, assumed had more experience than him and his MWD-partner of four months, Rony.
The pair from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, had challenges in the beginning of the competition, which involved detection, one of Rony’s shortcomings. Howard said he was nervous about how he and Rony were doing, but found a stride of confidence when he reflected on the milestones they had made since their initial training.
“When I first picked up Rony, he wasn’t the greatest at detection,” explained Howard. “To be able to see the progress that he has made since we became a team, there is no feeling like it in the world.”
For the first three weeks Howard was with Rony, they constantly trained and built rapport with one another.
Howard slowly started introducing obedience, tactical movement, patrol and detection to Rony’s training. Working on a leash at first and gradually learning without one.
Because Rony had difficulties honing in on scents and staying in place when he found items during detection, they trained constantly during their spare time to overcome their challenges.
“Sometimes it’s extremely frustrating, but overall I’d say it’s extremely rewarding,” said Howard. “He’s always happy to see me when I come in.”
Although training was challenging and took a lot of commitment, Howard says he is proud of his job and loves working with Rony.
Howard and Rony placed second in patrol during the Police Week competition.., only confirming hard work and commitment pays off in the end.