Page 18 - Chiron Autumn/Winter 2023

DATR Open Day
by LCpl Morris ITT
In July 2023, Remount Barracks was the home of the Defence Animal Training Regiment’s
(DATR) open day event. Previously held every two years, due to the COVID pandemic, it would be the first open day in four years. Crowds of up to 7,000 attended in their masses to see the demonstrations and stands across the vast estate the DATR has to offer.
On the main show field, there was a vast array of vendor stands from not just the local area but from charitable organisations such as Dogs Trust and Blue Light Card to military recruitment from 101 Military Working Dog Squadron of 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, and the Military Provost Guard Service. And finally, vendors selling things like locally brewed beer and bratwursts, which were immensely popular.
Throughout the day, there were numerous demonstrations from the various squadrons of the DATR. At the Vet Hospital, the Veterinary Training Squadron provided a hugely popular demonstration of their K-9 Hero, a robotic dog that is used for training on how to provide first aid to Military Working Dogs. They took great pleasure in making it growl, giving people a shock.
The Equine Training Squadron demonstrated the capabilities of their Military Working Horses through events such as Dressage, Pegging, and Showjumping. The showjumping was extremely popular with many of the crowd commenting on the skill of the riders and the horses to easily navigate the course and clear the obstacles with ease.
The Canine Training Squadron provided several displays throughout the day utilising their fleet of Military Working Dogs (MWDs).
Cpl Longley and LCpl Williams started the demonstrations off with a
successful demonstration of a Drugs Detection Dog, before Cpl Smith and Cpl Binns entertained the crowds by showing the capabilities of an Arms and Explosive Search Dog. The final demonstration involved the Vehicle Search Dogs demonstrating their level of efficiency and assurance in searching vehicles.
The Initial Trade Training (ITT) section was responsible for bite work demonstrations, utilising Military Working Dogs from their fleet who are used to training the next generation of MWD handlers. For this demonstration, LCpl White and MWD Rexo demonstrated obedience and control utilising a Practical Training Assistant (PTA). This was to show the masses of onlookers the ability these MWDs have to remain focused and not react on impulse.
What followed was the main bite-work demonstration with MWD Max and LCpl Moon. This team demonstrated the final standard of what is expected of a MWD team after passing out of their Initial Trade Training course. This is called the sequence of events, and it is a culmination of everything they as trained dog handlers and trained MWDs are taught. For much of
the audience the highlight of the demonstration was MWD Max sprinting down field and biting the PTA’s protective sleeve with speed and power, to the unanimous gasps of “oooo” from those in attendance.
On the main show field, the final
member of the ITT team, Sgt Miles, was assisting Lt Col (Ret.) Chris
Ham in selling books dedicated to the RAVC and its history, this was paired with the Carnegie Museum
of Melton Mowbray with a stand showing the history of the DATR. These both received lots of attention, and numerous books were sold boosting the awareness and history of the RAVC.
A particular highlight of the day for many of the crowds was the chance to get up close and personal with the Military Working Dogs
and Horses that were available for rehoming. Sqn Ldr. Bostock and MWD Rusty were extremely popular and never short of people wanting
to meet them. The crowds took full advantage to meet these animals and express their interest in rehoming them. Cpl Hewitt and his team on the Military Animal Rehoming Centre were busy throughout the day, and the hope is that loving homes will be found for all the animals so they can leave and enjoy their well-earned retirement.
Overall, the day was incredibly successful. Special mentions
must go to the Battle of Britain Memorial fly past, which really was mesmerising, and to the Military Mascots who enthralled fans all day. It was a successful day for the DATR with the thousands in attendance and for the MWDs and horses that managed to get loving owners to rehome them.
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