The path to becoming a hero often starts in unexpected places, and for some of the United States Air Force’s most valuable recruits, it begins in a loving foster home. The Air Force Puppies Foster Care Program is a unique and vital initiative that nurtures future military working dogs from their earliest days. This program places specially bred puppies with volunteer foster families, often Air Force personnel, who provide essential care and socialization during the crucial initial months of the puppies’ lives. Let’s delve into the heartwarming and impactful world of the Air Force puppies foster care program and understand how it lays the foundation for these animals to become elite protectors and partners.
The Air Force military working dog breeding program is the source of these exceptional canines. Born into a lineage of service, these puppies are destined for important roles. However, before they can embark on rigorous training, they need a nurturing start. This is where the foster care program steps in. By living in a home environment, these young Belgian Malinois, known for their intelligence and athleticism, are exposed to everyday sights, sounds, and interactions that are impossible to replicate in a kennel setting.
Captain Brandy Caffee, an Air Force civil engineer based in San Antonio, recently experienced the joys and responsibilities of fostering firsthand. Initially apprehensive, she welcomed Wwitch, a Belgian Malinois puppy, into her life and even her workplace at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. Caffee quickly adapted her routine to include her new “recruit,” bringing Wwitch to work and integrating her into her daily schedule. This exposure to different environments, including car rides and office settings, is crucial for the puppy’s development.
“I think that’s going to help her out in her next life because she’s going to be in and out of cars, she could be in and out of helicopters — she could be jumping out of helicopters,” Caffee explained. “Everything that I can do to get her into different situations is just going to help her be a better working dog down the line.” This early socialization is a cornerstone of the foster program, preparing the puppies for the diverse and demanding situations they may encounter as working dogs.
Alt text: Wwitch, a young Belgian Malinois puppy, playfully sits beside Air Force Captain Brandy Caffee’s desk in her office, showcasing the integration of foster puppies into daily Air Force life.
Down the hall from Captain Caffee, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Beach, AETC Operations Division Chief, is also fostering a puppy, affectionately named “Dos Equis,” originally designated “Puppy XX.” Beach, drawing on his observations of trained military working dogs, recognizes the potential in Dos Equis. “From what I’ve seen of graduated military working dogs, Dos Equis exhibits all the traits that you see in the graduates,” Beach noted. “He’s very smart, he’s quick to learn, he’s got an excellent drive to go after a ball or play tug of war — he really will not give up when you’re playing tug of war.”
Beach also highlights the unique demands of fostering this intelligent breed. Belgian Malinois puppies require consistent training and attention. “If you don’t have strong organizational skills and a keen attention to detail so that you’re applying corrections consistently every time, (the puppies) can quickly take over your life,” he cautioned, suggesting that the methodical nature of engineers makes them well-suited for this fostering role.
Alt text: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Beach engages in a playful tug-of-war with Dos Equis, his foster Belgian Malinois puppy, in a bright office setting, demonstrating the bond formed through the Air Force foster program.
At JBSA-Lackland, Captain Grant Harwell and his wife, members of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC), are fostering Xxplorer, another littermate. As first-time fosters, they are enjoying the experience but are also aware of the emotional challenge ahead. “At the seven-month mark, when we have to turn him in, I think that’s what’s going to be the hardest part,” Harwell admitted. This bittersweet aspect is inherent to fostering, but the Harwells find solace in the puppy’s future mission. “I guess you do it because you know that he’s a future military working dog so he could be deployed to Afghanistan, or somewhere else, in the future. It’s like training a basic trainee I guess; they’re going to go on to do bigger and better things.”
Alt text: Captain Grant Harwell and his wife lovingly cradle Xxplorer, their Belgian Malinois foster puppy, outside at JBSA-Lackland, illustrating the family involvement in the Air Force puppies foster care program.
Around seven months old, the puppies transition back to the Lackland kennels to begin their formal pre-training. Jason Dill, 341st Training Squadron Breeding Program Assistant Manager and Training Supervisor, anticipates that successful candidates will then advance to specialized dog training schools. To ease the eventual separation, Dill keeps foster families updated on the puppies’ progress through Facebook and email, allowing them to witness the impact of their early care.
Dill emphasizes the critical role of these volunteers: “Our foster families are valuable assets to the program; without them, we wouldn’t succeed.” The Air Force puppies foster care program is a testament to the dedication of these families who open their homes and hearts to nurture the next generation of military working dogs. Their commitment ensures that these puppies are not only well-cared for but also well-prepared for their future service.
For those interested in learning more about the military working dog and foster program, and potentially becoming a foster family themselves, further information is available by emailing [email protected]. Consider contributing to this remarkable program and playing a part in shaping the lives of these extraordinary animals who will go on to serve our nation.
