HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – An explosive detection dog assigned to the 66th Security Forces Squadron here officially retired from military service during a ceremony in Boston earlier today.
Military Working Dog Peta has been at Hanscom since completing operational training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in 2009.
According to a medal citation read during the former MWD’s ceremony, Peta served as a “deterrent on the installation and conducted patrols in search of explosives and personnel attempting to gain unauthorized access on the installation.”
Peta began her law enforcement career in 2008 at the 341st Training Squadron at Lackland. The Texas Air Force base provides training to working dogs used in “patrol, drug and explosive detection, and specialized mission functions for the Department of Defense and other government agencies.”
Hanscom’s retired K-9 has not done military work since March and was adopted in October by Staff Sgt. Brittany Gorbe, her last handler at Hanscom.
“The process to administratively retire a dog and wean her from military duty varies with each dog,” she said.
Peta is the second military working dog at Hanscom to retire in as many years. Froto retired in October 2017.
According to SFS officials, when it is determined that a MWD can no longer perform military work, civilian law enforcement agencies have the option to use the dogs for service.
“If a dog’s age or fitness prevents it from civilian law enforcement duties, as was the case with Peta, a prior handler is then considered,” said Gorbe.
Peta was partner to seven security forces’ dog handlers throughout her career.
While SFS handlers do have the option to adopt their former canine partners, some are eligible for adoptions by the public. Those who choose to adopt eligible military working dogs must sign an agreement that states they will be responsible for all future medical, food and shelter costs.
To learn more about adopting a former military working dog, email MWD.Adoptions@us.af.mil.
Peta, who performed more than 1,800 hours of detection at home and abroad during her career, will now be able to enjoy retirement.
“Her entire life she has had to work for her toy, but now she gets to be a dog and have her toy whenever she wants,” Gorbe said.