K9 Emzy – MWD

Died – 1/20/16

Every now and then a dog enters your life and changes everything ~ Unknown MWD Emzy (F631), USAF (Retired), End of Watch 20Jan2016 Wednesday morning, Emzy peacefully made her transition in our home under the loving and compassionate hands of Dr. Seth Jones of Herbst Veterinary Clinic in Boerne, Texas. She was 13 years 6 months old. Emzy had severe heart issues for most of her life. On Saturday, her loyal, loving heart could no longer pump fluids effectively.We tried yet another tweak to her already gazillion pills, which have been graciously provided by an amazing civilian charity, The United States War Dogs Association, Burlington, New Jersey. And while the adjustments to her dosages improved her final three days with us such that her eyes were bright and she attacked her pseudo-aggression ball (a Jolly Ball) in the yard, they were not going to do the trick any more. Her End of Watch had come. Emzy gave us one final, loyal hero dog signal…she stopped eating on Tuesday morning while still remaining bright and engaging with us. I am grateful to Emzy for so many things. But more than anything I am forever grateful that she made it so very clear that she was ready, so we could prepare as well. She was born in Germany on 2 August 2002. Emzy was purchased by the Department of Defense on a buying trip to Germany and traveled to the 341 TRS at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas for training. Emzy was assigned to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea and arrived on-station on 21 January 2005. Five years later, SSgt Shawn Alexander, 8 SFS K9, introduced Emzy to Col Janet Deltuva and explained that Emzy was going to retire due to her severe cardiac issues. Col Deltuva adopted Emzy on 16 April 2010. While at Kunsan, Military Working Dog Emzy (F631) distinguished herself by meritorious service as Patrol Dog, 8th Security Forces Squadron, 8th Mission Support Group, 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. During this period, the extraordinary desire to perform, loyalty and devotion to her handlers aided in the effectiveness of the Wolf Pack. Emzy conducted over 700 Random Anti-Terrorism Measures totaling over 500 hours ensuring the security and safety of $2.75 billion in wartime assets and 3,700 Wolf Pack personnel. Furthermore, Emzy played a crucial role in 20 Operational Readiness Exercises and four Pacific Air Forces’ Operational Readiness Inspections by performing combat patrols and manning listening and observation posts. Finally, her superb performance was instrumental to the Military Working Dog Section being recognized as “best seen to date” for patrol tactics during the 2009 Pacific Air Forces’ 2009 Operational Readiness Inspection which contributed to the Wing receiving an overall “Excellent” rating. These distinctive accomplishments earned Emzy an honorary Achievement Medal from Colonel Patrick Clements as she retired on 16 April 2010. Rest easy Defender. You have left this earth, but you will forever be in our hearts.

Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.