Handler Highlight: Dr Danyel Baker
Former dog handler Danyel talks to US War Dogs about her career in K-9 and the decision to swap leashes for stethoscopes as she becomes a doctor.
From SSD to scrubs: Danyel outside her practice in Colorado
K-9 found Danyel while on her first duty station with the US Army in Korea, early in 2002. “As with many young soldiers, I didn’t have K-9 on my radar at all,” explains Danyel, “but the more I learned about it and saw the dogs in action, I knew I wanted in.”
Following her stint at K-9 school, Danyel was posted to Fort Belvoir, where she and her first dog, Spike, were posted to support Secret Service missions for the POTUS and other VIPs. “Spike was getting ready to retire so he really helped to show me the ropes on the job. He was very methodical and cool. I was lucky to have him as my first MWD.”
Danyel was then paired with dual-purpose patrol and explosive detection dog, Arrow. “A lot of people had problems with Arrow as he wasn’t a nice dog in many instances, but he and I got along great. He was a solid worker and very capable, especially in his bite work.”
SSD
Danyel’s experiences working out of Fort Belvoir gave her a solid base in a number of key aspects of K-9, but when she was given the chance to go to Specialized Search Dog (SSD) school, she jumped at it. “It was 2005 and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan was raging, so I knew that as soon as I qualified, I’d be deploying.”
Danyel was joined as SSD school by Frank – a rambunctious yellow Labrador. “Frank was a ham. He did his job well but his main loves in life were his Kong and being petted. He was so nonchalant; he was a joy to be around.”
After learning the craft of specialized search, Frank and Danyel deployed together: First to Iraq and then to Afghanistan. “I have a lot of fond memories of those deployments but of course, there were a lot of situations that tested us to our outer limits. Some real ‘oh shit’ moments. But it’s amazing how the tools and training in those surreal moments can transcend into civilian life – particularly in my chosen career after leaving the Army.”
Danyel and Frank on deployment
Changes
After experiencing the rigors of deployment with Frank, Danyel returned to Germany, where she would receive new orders that changed her career trajectory. “I received orders to move away from K-9 and go to drill instructor school, which really wasn’t for me. I felt that, if my time in K-9 was coming to an end, it was the point where I needed to pursue something new, so I left the Army to go back to school.
“I’d always had dreams of wanting to be a vet, and after spending time with the MWDs, I was interested in pursuing this avenue further.” But the more Danyel looked into veterinary medicine, the more she was drawn to human medicine. “It ended up being quite a step change, but I decided to train to be a doctor.”
Frank
As Danyel transitioned away from K-9 – and from the Army – Frank was paired with another handler, Travis, whose SSD was retiring. “It made perfect sense for Frank to go with Travis. The two of them got along great and when it was time for Frank to retire, Travis and his wife, Stacy, gave him a loving forever home.”
Danyel and Travis kept in touch – sharing updates on how Frank was loving life of civvie street. “I got to visit Frank at home a few times, which was really special.”
Danyel’s fondness for her K-9 partner never dwindled, so when Travis called to say that Frank wasn’t doing so well, there was only one option available. “Travis explained that Frank’s balance had gone and that, although he had been put on meds, he wouldn’t get up. We both knew that the time was close, so I hopped on a red eye to Colorado.”
Danyel got to spend the morning with Frank, Travis and Stacy before Frank was taken to the vets for the very last time. “He had a great life and had not only been respected as a vital part of our team in Iraq and Afghanistan, he’d also been adored as a family pet too. Frank passed in 2018 but I’ll be forever grateful to have shared that bond and relationship with him.”
Doctor Baker
Danyel obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Fayetteville State University and a Master’s of Science at Georgetown University. She then graduated from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Virginia, followed by four years of residency in OB-GYN.
Danyel completed her training and is now a fully qualified OB-GYN, practicing out of Pueblo, Colorado. “It’s been a long and intense road and my husband Ryan has supported me through 13 years of school, which has not been easy at times.”
Danyel graduated and is now a practicing OB-GYN in Colorado
Danyel’s credits her nine years in the Army – most of which were spent in K-9 – with shaping her outlook on her new career. “There are lots of parallels and I am regularly thankful for the training and work ethic the Army – and K-9 – instilled in me. Keeping a cool head and thinking logically through a problem – like we had to do on deployment – is a skill I need to deploy on a near-daily basis.”
Of course, the friendships made with the humans and dogs of the K-9 community leave their imprint and Danyel is no exception. “I am so lucky to have made some lifelong friends in K-9.
“I’m very proud to have been part of the K-9 legacy and although I no longer hold a leash every day, the lessons I learned as a dog handler will stay with me forever.”
