Outdoor Rec pups live for adventure

  • Published
  • By Laticia Little
  • 377th Force Support Squadron
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  Customers who walk into Kirtland AFB Outdoor Recreation department might be surprised to know that on any given day; at least six additional pairs of eyes could watch every move they make.

Lying under desks, counters or even a programmer's legs are the members of Outdoor Recreation's elite team of highly skilled, well-trained, yet extremely cute programmer pups.

Their mission is to serve, protect and assist ODR programmers and customers during their many adventures throughout New Mexico and points beyond.

In the field during the spring and summer, these pups are trained to alert groups to any dangers associated with climbing, hiking and camping.

During the winter, they assist with avalanche rescue, thin ice alerts and even wild animal alerts.

On many trips, the pups carry both their own water and supplies along with first aid supplies for the group.

Not every dog can be a programmer pup. The selection process is unique. Pups and programmers are almost drawn to each other so their bonds are very strong.

The story of how each one met their programmer is special. Dan Isaac, lead programmer, has two dogs, Cubby and Alpha, while programmer Jeff Harris, has Nalla Bear.

Isaac found Cubby in the Socorro Box Canyon while teaching a rock-climbing class in 2010. During the class, a truck pulled over and dumped Cubby off. The puppy wandered up the mountain and attached himself to the group.

"He was very dirty and covered in ticks and cactus spines," Isaac said. "I took him home, cleaned him up and removed about 17 ticks just from his ears. Cubby also had worms, so we took him to the vet to be treated. He is now a very healthy and obedient dog."

Alpha's physical health was also poor when Isaac bought him from a Socrro rancher. The dog had a wounded paw after being stepped on by a horse; he was also full of ticks and malnourished.

"I approached the rancher about Alpha's condition and told him if he could not take care of the dog, then I would buy him and take good care of him," Isaac said. "The rancher gave me a price and I purchased Alpha."

Alpha was nursed back to health and Isaac said he is a happy dog.

Nalla Bear was rescued from a humane society in Durango, Colo. in 2009.

"She was an early graduation gift to myself," Harris said. "She was born in February 2009 and was the smallest in a litter of 12."

Harris' first experiences with Nalla Bear came when she fell into the cold Animas River.

"That was where Nalla Bear learned that she was very cautious of water," he said. "The funniest thing I have ever seen her do was when she fell and was surprised by the cold water. She went to roll in the grass and fell back into the river.

"Even though she does not share my love of the river, she is absolutely in love with the snow and could run around in it all day."

Although the programmer pups have already shown themselves as invaluable assets to the ODR team, their programmers are always finding new ways to keep them occupied.

Scheduled for 2012, the Outdoor Recreation staff and programmer pups are looking at expanding into adaptive ski programming and programming for wounded warriors. Their goal is to get veterans to assist them in having the adventures through trips planned by ODR.