K9 Aura – MWD – U.S. Marines

Died – 2/7/20
Handler – Mark Daniels

RMWD Aura N679
It’s with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Retired MWD Aura N679. Rmwd Aura served honorably in the US Marine Corps alongside her handler Mark Daniels. Together in 2013, MWD Aura and Mark deployed to Afghanistan, but their tour was cut short when both Aura and Mark fell prey to an IED blast. Both Mark and Aura sustained injuries, but by the grace of God, they survived. Shortly after this horrific experience, Mark and Aura were reunited when Aura was officially retired from the Marine Corps. Retired MWD Aura was a beautiful dog inside and out. She loved her family and she loved being an ambassador for Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc. alongside her mother Jesca Daniels. Rmwd Aura will be missed by so many people. Rest Easy Hero, your time on this earth is over, but you will always and forever be remembered for your beauty and grace.

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.