In Conversation with… SGM Viridiana Lavalle – U.S. Army Military Working Dog (MWD) Program Manager

Sergeant Major Viridiana Lavalle, is the U.S. Army’s MWD Program Manager, based out of the Pentagon, Washington D.C. assigned to the Office of the Provost Marshal General. She has enjoyed a remarkable career, working in a variety of positions, including leadership roles, but has managed to stay close to her beloved K-9 program. This is where she can implement real change at the strategic level. 

Viridiana’s deep love and respect for K-9 continues to motivate her every day. Just how does a Non-commissioned Officer carve out a career that remains true to K-9? How have her experiences shaped the way she views K-9 today? Below are answers to these questions and insight on what it takes to obtain a monumental military career.

As a young girl, Viridiana loved dogs, having two German Shepherds at home, but she became enamored with working dogs after watching the Vietnam-era film, War Dog. “I had grown up watching Rin Tin Tin, but after I saw that movie, I knew I wanted to be a MWD Handler. Seeing the bond between the soldiers and their K-9 companions inspired me. Their passion emoted from all the stories, which solidified my desire to become a handler. After that, I knew the exact path I wanted to travel.”

Chasing Cops

At 16, Viridiana knew that she wanted to be a military K-9 handler. “I had the opportunity to train with the local K9 units in my hometown. I would show up to the training events with my GSD and do my best to mirror the obedience drills they would do. I would ask them questions and soak up as much information about that world as possible.”

Army

Lavalle joined the US Army in August 2001 as a Military Police (MP) Officer, with the ambition of being recruited for K-9. Lavalle served in Korea as a MP Patrolman and was on the Special Reaction Team. After 18 months of being in the Army, she was finally approved for K-9 in 2003. She attended the MWD Handler Course at Lackland Air Force Base. “It was so exciting to finally get there and learn all the different aspects of K-9 along with their capabilities. It came as no surprise that I loved everything about it.”

Her first K-9 assignment was at the 947th MWD Detachment, Fort Myer, VA. Lavalle’s hands-on experience with her first assigned dog came in the form of a Patrol Drug Detector Dog, named Panos D251 – an imposing Belgian Malinois who was blind in one eye. “He was the strongest and hardest hitting dog in the kennel, despite his handicap. We bonded immediately and enjoyed working law enforcement together. He was exceptional at detection and was unstoppable in patrol. I had the privilege to adopt Panos when he retired.



SSG Brando F073 and SGT Lavalle, preparing to support the unit with a drill and ceremony event at Ft Myer, VA

Lavalle’s talents had been spotted from afar and an opportunity to progress her career came via an assignment at US Southern Command’s Protective Services Detachment. From there, Lavalle deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. “It was a great stride forward, but I desperately missed K-9 and I knew I had to get back to the MWD Program. I was anxious to get back to the discipline of the K-9 world, both with the Soldiers and dogs.”

Best Job There Is

After three years with Protective Services, Lavalle was offered the chance to become a MWD Trainer at Lackland Air Force Base, TX. “My waiting had paid off. For someone who loves K-9, there is no better assignment than this!” Lavalle had returned from combat missions with a renewed sense of responsibility and poignance for what these dogs were being prepared to accomplish. “Being deployed to combat changes your perspective in life. You realize just how important of a role these K-9s have in saving lives on the battlefield.”

Living the dream: SSG Lavalle training MWDs at JBSA, TX.

While stationed at Lackland, Lavalle was promoted to Sergeant First Class and selected as the Dog Training School Course Chief where she oversaw the shaping of the capabilities she had spent so long training into the dogs. “Although I was in a leadership role, nothing was going to stop me from training dogs. I had to manage my time to make it all work, but it was well worth the sacrifice.”

After three years at Lackland, Lavalle was assigned to Fort Stewart, GA, as a Kennel Master. “Moving from what I viewed as a dream role filled me with trepidation at first. I thought that no position could possibly beat Lackland in terms of training dogs and the satisfaction of shaping those puppies. However, I quickly realized building my handlers’ professional development and helping them shape their own dogs was just as satisfying. It was here that I really learned the true aspects of leadership and I am so grateful for that experience. My kennels thrived on finding ways to push each other while exceeding the standards.”

LTC (retired) Dr Rich Vargus, SFC Lavalle and the 93^rd Military Police MWD Detachment, Ft. Stewart, GA.

So, what makes for a good Kennel Master? Lavalle doesn’t miss a beat: “A great Kennel Master is a servant leader. Someone who has knowledge and experience in both administration and in training. Humility is also important - If they don’t know something, they should be willing to ask for help. Most importantly, they should continuously try to find ways to advance the skills of their MWD Teams.

“Holistically for a kennel, you need a balance of quality leaders and soldiers who are all striving to master their craft while being stewards of the profession. A familial kennel fosters a productive environment. A Kennel Master with those qualities will absolutely bring out the best in everyone.”

Deployed

While serving as a Kennel Master in Georgia, Lavalle deployed to Afghanistan as the Regional Command East MWD Program Manager: A role that included the training, evaluation, and

management of MWDs and Contract Working Dogs. “We had around two hundred dogs under our care at that time. Working closely with the working dog teams to conduct training and run their validations was a great experience.” Lavalle’s second deployment in 2013 came at a time where the dog teams were in high demand and their capabilities were truly helping to save lives.

“The level of camaraderie while deployed cannot be compared to your home station. The soldiers are training and conducting missions that risk their lives, and that galvanizes you – especially in a leadership position. We have to do everything we can to make sure the teams are meeting those operational requirements and come home safe. A big part of being a leader is having to make decisions and owning what comes of it.”

Support From Home

It was on this deployment that Viridiana first encountered the U.S. War Dogs Association. “I first received a care package from John Meeks, the President of U.S. War Dogs Chapter 3. He enclosed a letter and I wanted to respond to show my gratitude. We quickly became pen pals. Mr. Meeks would go above and beyond to send packages that provided quality items for all the MWD Teams. The packages included letters from local school children and pictures from family members, which meant so much – especially during the holidays.

MSG Bill 5 R661 and SFC Lavalle pictured at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan following the delivery of care packages from John Meeks at US War Dogs Chapter 3.

“US War Dogs continues to support our dog teams – both at home and abroad – with care packages and specialized gear requests, and I am eternally grateful that our teams get to enjoy the same empathy and care that I did while working far away from home. “

Lavalle and US War Dogs president, Chris Willingham, at the MWD monument rededication at Ft. Benning, GA, in 2023.

Viridiana is still in touch with Mr. Meeks today. “He is one of the most passionate handlers I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. I am always most humbled by our Vietnam dog handlers. They paved the way for all of us by demonstrating what war dogs were capable of. They worked in austere conditions with the most basic of K-9 equipment and still managed to be effective on the battlefield. They are responsible for shaping the Army MWD Program of today. I will never forget their stories as they inspired me to become a MWD Handler.”

Lavalle’s career continued to move in an upward trajectory after returning from combat deployment she fulfilled her time as a Kennel Master and was promoted to Master Sergeant. She was then assigned as the Eighth Army MWD Program Manager in Korea. Upon completion of that assignment, she was chosen to be the U.S. Army Pacific MWD Program Manager at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

K-9 International

Lavalle recalls that assignment provided the opportunity to broaden her horizons and to experience what the wider world of K-9 had to offer. “I had the opportunity to travel across the Pacific conducting various training and certification events, which allowed me to spearhead more joint ventures with Interagency, law enforcement, and partner nations.

“We had the chance to work with the civilian and Military K-9 industry from different countries, including India, Israel, Mongolia, and New Zealand. I gained a greater understanding of what other countries were doing and how we could help each other’s programs.

“It was inspiring to see some of the other countries and how they were able to advance their programs through different approaches to training and their use of equipment. New Zealand had an amazing MWD socialization program, which is something that we are currently trying to incorporate within the Army MWD Program.”

Great Mentor: CSM (retired) Jeremy Peek and his wife Kimberley with Lavalle at Schofield Barracks, HI

PCS’ing Away From K-9

As the time in Hawaii was ending, Lavalle was selected to attend the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss, TX. “Once I graduated from the academy, I was assigned to Fort Sill, OK, where I served as the Directorate of Emergency Services, Provost Sergeant Major (SGM).

“I was sad to leave the MWD Program again, but I was both excited and honored to be an SGM. I looked forward to the leadership challenge and learning the various aspects of managing the DES. I wanted to make as much of an impact as possible. The position allowed me to work with various sections within the DES as well as other law enforcement agencies on a variety of initiatives to build a stronger community. Despite this, my heart was still in K-9.”

Pentagon

Viridiana’s gravitational pull back to K-9 was reflected in the opportunity of being selected as the Army MWD Program Manager. “I was surprised and excited to step up to the challenge and serve in that position. To influence the entire MWD Program at the strategic level through policy, training, and modernization is a huge honor and a responsibility I take very seriously.

“In this position, I often refer to myself as just a dog handler. Maintaining that stance helps me not to lose focus on the hard job our young handlers are doing, day in and day out. I maximize any opportunities to spend time with our MWD teams – whether during leader professional development events, joint training events, or competitions. This allows me to get out and see them in action. I may even get lucky and throw on a bite suit, from time to time.

“Interacting with young handlers is what inspires me to keep finding ways to improve myself and the program.”

Reflecting

With such a varied and illustrious career, how does SGM Lavalle feel about her years of hard work and experience? “I have been in K-9 for 20 years and I never stop learning. Our MWDs never fail to surprise me. We certainly have not maximized their potential yet. It’s all about perspective and the creativity of the trainers and handlers to keep moving the dial with these incredible animals. I have had the honor to serve along some of the best leaders and soldiers – both two and four-legged – the Army has to offer.”

“That alone – as a dog lover and a member of the MWD family – motivates you and gives you the drive to modernize and evolve in this skill craft.”

Part of that development has been Lavalle’s Army MWD Leadership and Training Symposium: An annual event that she personally spearheaded. “It was a vision that I had for ten years and when I got to this position, I was able to plan and execute it with the support of Major General Miller, Provost Marshal General.”

The symposium offers the chance for K-9 teams, veterinarian personnel, and senior leaders from the DoD, Interagency, Law Enforcement, and NATO/Foreign partners to attend specialized courses on a variety of tasks, instructed from military and civilian K-9 subject matter experts. The symposium comprises lectures and hands-on training courses, with the aim of introducing new training methodologies and equipment to the MWD and K-9 community.

“The aim was to foster greater collaboration and knowledge sharing across military and

civilian sectors, with a range of training methodologies to engage every level of experience. The fact that I was able make this vision that had been a dream of mine for over a decade actually come true, was a monumental moment for me.”

20 years of learning: SGM Lavalle with TSA K-9 supervisor Wyatt Rhoden, who continue to share their passion for K-9 after attending MWD school together.

As well as bringing to fruition a new breed of annual training event to the K-9 community, SGM Lavalle has also spent the last 18 months as chairwoman of the NATO MWD Expert Panel, which brings in subject matter experts, senior and working level staff officers directly involved in National or NATO C-IED MWD activities, development, policy, or training. The panel focuses on enhancing current capabilities and fosters collaboration with other countries.

“This collaboration motivates me to keep pushing the limits to improve our program.”

With so much to be proud of, can Viridiana choose one stand-out point that makes her heart swell? “It would have to be just how far we have come as a program. We continue to modernize and evolve as a program while providing force multipliers in support of the law enforcement and combat missions. For me to be a part of it, especially being able to serve in this position is very humbling.”

“I think of that young girl, inspired by the War Dogs of Vietnam and of Rin Tin Tin, and I feel

truly blessed that I have played a small part in the pages of this great K-9 story.”