Local CDC creates care packages for Holloman MWDs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Siuta B. Ika
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  For deployed servicemembers, one of the hardest things to deal with is being away from home. Letters and care packages from loved ones can help them reconnect with friends and others back home.

Holloman deploys more than its people and equipment to the respective areas of operation, and often times, those other deployed assets are the ones who aren't on the receiving end of the letters and care packages.

Children from Alamogordo's Full House Child Development Center are making sure the 49th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dogs receive the same letters and care packages their handlers and others receive when they are deployed.

"Each year we get involved in the community by doing a fun drive called 'Pennies for Pets' and this year I found an article regarding deployed dogs," said Sara Wilson, a pre-kindergarten teacher at Full House. "I thought it would be good for the kids to learn about what the dogs do, so we collected pennies (and held other events) to raise money and we brought in donated dog toys to make care packages for them."

The care packages consist of paper cut-outs of hearts, a CD with the kids saying the pledge of allegiance and various chew toys and treats.

The packages offer a nice change for the dogs, said Tech. Sgt. Thomas Henzl, 49th SFS kennel master.

"I know from being deployed with the working dogs, the handlers and teams receive care packages all the time but for the dogs to receive letters and packages addressed to them specifically is a nice change," he said. "That will mean a lot to the handlers as well and help boost the morale of the teams. It will definitely give them something to look forward to."

The packages addressed to the dogs will mark the first time MWDs with the 49th SFS have received entire care packages especially for them, said Sergeant Henzl.

"There's a couple of non-profit (organizations) that have sent packages out but they're geared mostly toward the handlers," he said. "The teams have received packages but I'm not aware of the dogs ever receiving entire packages specifically for them."

To thank the Full House Child Development Center, the 49th SFS brought two dogs to the school to interact with the kids and to meet the beneficiaries of the children's hard work.

"The kids seeing the dogs is really important," said Ms. Wilson. "When we told the kids about the dogs they didn't really understand, so when they saw the dogs, it really hit home (and they said) 'this is why I'm collecting pennies and bringing in toys.'"

Before leaving Full House, Sergeant Henzl shared one last thought about why the care packages for the MWDs are so important.

"The dogs are there with us, they experience the same circumstances, living conditions, every attack, every convoy and everyday work that the handlers and Airman are experiencing too," he said. "To have them remembered and not forgotten, and to have people recognize they are living creatures doing great work is really something I think is fantastic."