K9 Robbie – Lakeland, Florida

Died – 1/11/19

Tears flow as aging military dog gets hero’s sendoff in Lakeland

A retired military working dog was honored with an emotional goodbye by his veterinarian in Lakeland. Robson’s handler lovingly called him ‘Robbie.’ The dog retired from the Air Force in 2014 after spending almost seven years as a bomb sniffer. His service included supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.But David died in 2017 — “[Robbie] was the last link we had to David,” Erin tearfully noted — and age began to catch up with Robbie.“Robbie was 13 years old so it got to the point where he got to a really good life and his old age was taking over,” said Linda Gordon, hospital manager at All Creatures Animal Clinic in Lakeland. “When we got word that it was his time, we wanted to do everything we could.” The staff at All Creatures Animal Clinic put together a final walk tribute last week. Joined by the esteemed Lakeland Police Department K-9 Unit, they offered a tearful last goodbye befitting Robbie’s life of dedicated service. “It meant a lot. It was able to give Robbie the honor he deserves,” Linda said. “Everybody who watches that video is going to know that he was here and he did great things and his life was worth value,” Erin added. “And now he and David are together, and will be together forever.”

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.