Proud New Owner: Betty O’Neil,
Nashville,
TN
K-9: Reza, female
Age: 12 Years
Belgian Malinois
Discharged: June 13, 2005
Service No.: Z112
Her military records were lost prior to
2001, but it was discovered that she
was purchased by the Army for the purposes
of detecting mines. Nothing else
could be found pertaining to her history.
From 2001 until I adopted her she
was stationed at Lackland AFB as a K-9
training aide. In her four years
there, she helped train 45 handlers and
their dogs. With her attitude and
stubbornness, I’m sure she was the
teacher, not just the aide.
The drive from
San
Antonio back to
Nashville was a bonding experience for
us. Now she doesn’t leave my side.
Cats and wildlife she ignores, but shows
some aggression when she sees a large dog.
She thinks she is the alpha dog.
When she’s sees a police officer
or someone in a military
uniform, she
ignores me and gets all excited and goes
up to them and sits by their side
as if she’s found a long lost friend.
I guess I’ll have to buy some
fatigues.
Reza has adjusted well to civilian life,
but does miss her work. So
everyday, we have to go out at least twice
and do a workout to make her feel
useful. She is my constant companion, physical
trainer and comedian. She has
DJD (Degenerative Joint Disease) in her
hips and a thyroid problem. But I
couldn’t have found a better dog
or friend anywhere. I’m very proud to own a
four legged soldier.
Betty O'Neil
