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After eight-and-a-half years of dedicated service, Military Working Dog Ember, a Labrador Retriever, officially retired on April 1, 2025, during a poignant ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base to honor her distinguished career. Ember, specializing in off-leash counter-improvised explosive device and tracking, leaves behind a legacy of loyalty and bravery.
“Ember may be a Labrador Retriever, but she has the energy of a Belgian Malinois,” noted U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cody Lake, 21st Security Forces kennel master. “Her energy never seems to fade throughout the days, and she has become the unofficial mascot of the unit because her personality just draws everyone in. She is very proud of that role.”
During Ember’s tenure, she completed several U.S. Secret Service taskings, providing explosive detection support for POTUS, VPOTUS, and FLOTUS. She has also served alongside her handlers in protecting personnel and property at Peterson SFB. During her time on base, she has been a reliable partner and a valuable asset to the installation’s Security Forces team.
“I have worked with MWD Ember for 10 months,” said her former handler Senior Airman Andrew Fogel, 21st SFS military working dog handler. “Something unique I have noticed about Ember is that her energy seems to never deplete, she is always go, go, go!”
Fogel added that one of his most notable experiences with Ember was when they were working security together for the Democratic National Convention. “Being our first mission together, I fully expected her to go crazy in the hotel room and cause a mess. To my surprise, the only thing she cared about in that room was lying in bed with me and wanting to do nothing but relax. It was completely out of character, but I loved every moment of it.”
Ember’s retirement enables her to continue a life of well-earned relaxation. She has found her forever home with a vet tech that has serviced her over the years at Fort Carson.
According to Lake, after military life, the Military Working Dogs receive 1 month of all current medications and are typically enrolled in a war dog foundation. These foundations assist with the medical cost to provide treatment for the retired working dogs. “Ember specifically will need continued evaluation for heart murmurs,” explained Lake. “However, the best post-retirement care that these working dogs can get is just being able to relax on the couch, playing with toys day in and day out. Oftentimes, you will see a new playful personality emerge from the working dogs when they are settled into their forever homes.”
Ember’s legacy stands as a testament to the courage, loyalty, and invaluable contributions of Military Working Dogs in safeguarding those who serve.
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2025 11:06 |
| Story ID: | 494574 |
| Location: | COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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