Our guest for this episode is a Marine Corps Veteran who served eight years filling various billets such as a Military Working Dog Handler (MWD), a Specialized Search Dog (SSD) Handler, MWD Trainer, and an MWD Team Deployment Training Course Instructor. He started his career in Camp Pendleton, California, with 1st Law Enforcement Battalion’s MWD Platoon, under the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).
There he was selected to attend the SSD Course at Lackland AFB, and upon returning to Camp Pendleton, he was assigned to SSD Saber T653.
Together, Rosendo Madrigal (Magic) and SSD Saber conducted numerous training exercises and supported security operations both stateside and overseas.
Magic also filled billets such as the Chief Trainer for Camp Butler’s MWD Section in Okinawa, Japan, and as an MWD Team Deployment Training Course Instructor at YPG (Yuma Proving Ground) in Yuma, Arizona.
This episode discusses his experiences as a handler, trainer, and instructor within the USMC MWD Program and his transition from the military into the civilian sector. He also shares his story of adopting SSD Saber and how @projectk9hero assisted Saber in getting emergency veterinary treatment. Magic is also the mastermind behind the Marine MWD Handler Memorial on Camp Pendleton to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The memorial was set in place on K9 Hill behind the Camp Pendleton Kennels in April of 2016, three years after the last Marine canine handler was lost overseas.
Be sure to check out Magic’s canine apparel @ducexercitum
And check out organizations like
@projectk9hero / https://projectk9hero.org
@uswardogs_official / https://www.uswardogs.org
They provide amazing services for retired Military Working Dogs and give back to the community by helping those deserving handlers care for their best friends.
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In Canis Confiderus!
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DISCLAIMER: The host and guests on this Podcast share their personal experiences and do not represent the views of their affiliated organizations or the Department of Defense.
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