The job of a U.S. Marine Corps military working dog

The job of a U.S. Marine Corps military working dog handler is never lonely. With a four legged partner padding along right beside you, reading commands and body language as if it were second nature, how could you be? U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Makayla Souza, a 20-year-old military working dog handler with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, shares what being a handler means to her.
“My favorite part of being a handler, in the job in itself would be just being able to see the dogs change … but mostly the bond that me and my dog have,” said Souza. “My dog growing up was my best friend, and I guess whenever I wasn’t right he knew. It was just crazy to me to see how smart dogs are and not just in detection or patrol but recognizing human emotions, the bond is crazy. My dog here is essentially like a coworker, keeping that professionalism with my K9, but it helps that he reads me as a person as well. We both have our good days and our bad days and kind of like my dog growing up, we can recognize each other’s off days. He’s a partner, not an employee.”
To learn more about being a military working dog handler, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/video/740741/military-working-dog-appreciation-week-day-life