K-9 unit receives new obstacle course

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Nothing can replace the excited look on Sano's face as he ran through the new obstacle course for the first time.

Sano is a 7-year-old military working dog with the 86th Security Forces Squadron.

The new obstacle course is made of concrete which will hold up better than the old plastic course, said Staff Sgt. Marcos Silva, 435th Construction Training Squadron pavements and equipment operator.

The veterinarian gave the blueprints to the 435th CTS and they built all the obstacles at the shop then transported them to the 86th SFS K-9 unit.

"Having the concrete obstacles is huge," said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Ramsey, 86th SFS military working dog handler. "Not knowing if the old course was corroded from the wind, snow and rain, it became an issue of safety for the dogs."

Being given the dimensions and rules for each obstacle, the 15 members of the 435th CTS put a lot of time and teamwork into designing the new course.

"Everyone played a role in helping build the obstacle course," said Silva. "This was a special project for us and now that we have done this we can take our knowledge to other bases."

The new course includes three hurdles for the dogs to jump over, a catwalk, stair-step pyramid, A-frame, window and tunnel.

"My favorite to build was the stair-step pyramid and the A-frame," said Silva. "I had never done an A-frame and we had to think outside the box to get it done."

While the new obstacles were under construction, the K-9 unit was still able to use the old course, until the new obstacles were brought over.

"Since having the new course, I am certain it is more stable, durable and there won't be any more sharp edges or corners from the old plastic material," said Master Sgt. Matthew Claxton, 86th SFS kennel master.

Placing the obstacles took some time and had its challenges.

"The hardest thing to place was the pyramid," said Silva. "It took about a week to get it exactly where it needed to be. With all the trees in the way we couldn't get a crane in and ended up placing it piece by piece."

Now that the obstacle course is finished the majority of the K-9s have to run through it and the dogs really seem to enjoy the new course, said Ramsey.

"We have each K-9 run through the course once a day," said Claxton. "It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to go through depending on what the handler does with the K-9 in between obstacles."

Once finished running the course, the K-9s are given a reward to chew on such as a ball or rope toy.

"Seeing the finished product and watching the dogs run the course was the best part of the project," said Silva. "Knowing that it is going to be able to last a long time for future dogs and handlers is a good feeling."