Page 193 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
particular Unit needing assistance. The TDI was also responsible for ensuring freshly trained dog and handler teams were ready for deployment to Brigades on return from initial training at Melton Mowbray. Each team was judged on a wide range of scenarios and had to complete the set tasks three times in succession, without raising any concerns, before being licensed or allowed to operate independently. The TDI was always bang-up to date with the latest terrorist develop- ments and safeguarded dog teams were at the best measure at all times.
The Unit’s annual dog trials were an additional opportunity for the TDI to examine quality and standards as the Brigades and Units were pitted against each other in competition. The keen rivalry elevated the benchmark of handling and dog skills for all classifications. Something that didn’t exist in any text book was clearly on display too: every element of the trials called for handler and dog to demonstrate the close bond and unique rapport they shared. Cpl Kev Gavin, RAVC, commented on this in a media interview in the summer of 2002. He said that “...it’s hard to explain the bond we have with our canine soldiers...you both watch out for each other. I rely on him and he relies on me.”33
As previously said, the TDI was also responsible for keeping dogs and handlers abreast of the terrorists’ latest weapons of choice and making arrangements for the necessary testing. In the early 1990s, the IRA mistakenly believed that the plastic explosive Semtex was untraceable. It was supposedly odourless but not when put to the test by Army dogs. Unsurprisingly, the ADU’s canines, following training on the substance, easily traced its presence, wherever it was concealed. The dogs faced the same challenge with another explosive chosen by the opposition – ammonium nitrate and sugar mixed together. Again, the terrorists thought it was odourless, but this thought was also dashed by the ADU dogs who qualified to indicate on this lethal cocktail.
This pressurised situation – to stay a life-saving step ahead of the enemy – became a familiar pattern for the search dog teams under the instruction of the TDI. It was accepted that any new explosive substance delivered into the hands of any insurgent in any part of the world would, sooner or later, find its way onto the streets of NI or the mainland. The dogs and handlers of the Red Paw were well aware that they not only had their own lives to consider, the lives of others also rested in
33 Dog’s Today Magazine article dated September 2002. 34 Chiron Calling No 3 April 1974.
35 ADU NI PowerPoint Presentation circa 2006.
their hands. A feature in Chiron Calling (No 3 1974), captured the irony of how “...the sickly sweetness – like vapour given off by the nefarious explosive mixtures used by the opposition” in early 1974,34 matched the sweet smell of success experienced by handlers when their dogs’ indicated on a trace of a new explosive.
TDI, Training and Beyond
Most regimental handlers served a minimum of 12 months as Protection dog handlers prior to being assessed for their suitability to train as specialist handlers. Those selected to go forward attended a twelve-fifteen week course at Melton Mowbray to learn the skills of an AES, Tracker or Vehicle Search handler. Graduation from the course guaranteed a return to the Province for a further tour of duty with the ADU where dog handling was not the only ‘specialist’ skill they were expected to display. Soldiers in charge of Army dogs were normally Privates or Junior NCOs and, for many, the handler role required digging deep for the courage needed to stand their ground if challenged by Senior officers. Courage, good communication skills and the correct attitude were known to be the only way for a handler to get their viewpoint across. Any disputes were referred back to the handlers’ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which handlers routinely carried in case of disagreement; these SOPs were constantly reviewed to reflect altering tactics.
One excellent way for handlers to maintain, and often test their ability to go above and beyond, was to take part in organised competition. The ADU ran an annual canine biathlon, to challenge self-confidence in both the handlers and the dogs and, unsurprisingly, the rivalry was always intense and the course exceptionally tough. One popular event was a race against the clock over the airfield at BK, which included man-made and natural obstacles, water runs, tunnels and periods of live firing on the circuit. The dogs were in their element, leaving their handlers working hard to keep up. The events were a great success on every level and made possible thanks to the kind sponsorship initially provided by Mars and Pedigree Pet Foods at Waltham, and later Eukanuba. Recipient of the overall winner’s trophy and shield in 2006 was LCpl Darren Goodall RAVC with his dog Theo, Sgt Richie Ward RAVC, was runner-up. This was the last of the ADU NI competitions before the withdrawal the following year and demonstrated that the RAVC could match their counterparts.35
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