The Kennel Masters of Feed the Dawgs
In the spring of 2007, two veterans decided to put on a bar-b-que for the Marine dog handlers at a Southern California Marine camp. Accompanied by the wife of one and the daughter of the other, a re-generation of "Dawgs" was launched. In 2008, they were joined by a re-invigorated fellow Dawg that had been AWOL from the veteran scene for 40 years. Today, they are the core of a rapidly expanding recognition of today's K9 Troop.
Founding Members
Mike Mizak
Mike joined the Air Force in February 1967, completed basic, and was assigned to parachute school at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. A parachute rigger is perhaps among the all important support functions of every pilot: just ask one. Mike received orders for Clark Air Base (PI) in October 1967. Various TDYs saw Mike in Thailand (Spring '68) and at Danang (Fall '68). Good winds sent Mike to George Air Force Base in the spring of 1969 where he completed his active duty in 1971 with an HD.
Today, Mike continues to actively serve his country as a veterans advocate, serving on the Riverside County Veterans Adivsory Committee for the past three years.
Mike's dedication to Feed the Dawgs is greatly supported by both his lovely wife Jeri and his daughter, Katie.
Mike's hobbies include cnc woodworking as evidenced below and his incredible work on the Marine Sgt. Adam L. Cann Camp Pendleton Kennel Sign.
An "Original Mizak!"
Dawgs Co-Founders Ron Carlton (left) and Mike.
Jon Hemp
Jon joined the Air Force in 1965 on a delayed enlistment.
He served with the 7272nd SPS-K9 at Wheelus Air Base in Libya (Astor 275H), the 97th Bomb Squadron (BUFFs) at Blytheville AFB , Arkansas (Sam 5X23), and Tan Son Nhut Air Base (Sarge 46X4) in Vietnam. Jon "separated" in August 1969 with an HD.
Hemp presently teaches the social sciences in an inner-city continuation high school in Southern California. He is joined by his wife, Jennie, and he has two daughters and four grand children. He is very active in the Old Dawgs & Pups adoption program for Active Duty Military Dog Handlers deployed to Southwest Asia.
Draftees
Jim Bruno
US Navy MAC James D. (Jim) Bruno was officially "drafted" in to the Kennel Masters on 6 December 2009. An Iraq K9 veteran, we are honored by his participation. Jim MC'd the formal grand opening of the Military K9 Heritage Exhibit at March Field Air Museum in the fall of 2009.
Thank you for your service, Good Friend.
Angel Landrau
The Feed the Dawgs Project is proud to announce the appointment of Air Force TSgt Angel Landrau to The Kennel Masters Committee, effective 28 January 2010. We are grateful to Bill Cummings, Vice President of Vietnam Dog Handler Association (VDHA), for his proxy representation of the Kennel Masters in presenting Angel with his "Draftee" plaque in Tucson, Arizona. You have served us well, Brother Dawg.
Ben Maple
Lt. Benjamin M. Maple has been officially “drafted” in to the Kennel Masters on17 Janaury 2010: A fine Marine, a great Kennel Master, and an All ’round DAWG! You make us proud.
Ken Neal
The Kennel Masters of the Feed the Dawgs Project are extremely pleased and equally proud to name Kenneth Neal as Ambassador at Large. Ken's dedication and passion for recognizing today's Active Duty Military Dawgs is unsurpassed. We are proud to know you, Sir, and grateful for your friendship and support.
Michael W. (Mike) Nelson
Mike was "drafted" to the Kennel Masters on 4 June 2011, the day of the 3rd Annual "Vandy." Feed.
Mike first joined the Dawgs Project at the 2010 Season Finale' at Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix, Arizona. He hasn't missed a stitch since. In addition to serving up "Hoooooaaaah" at each and every feed event since then, Mike provided all of the logistics support for the 2011 War Dog Memorial (hosted by the Dawgs Project) and coordinated the logistics for the 2011 Red White & Cruise Salute to today's MWD Handlers, Veterinarians,Tangos, and family members.
Career Air Force, SMSgt Mike (ret.) got his Dawg Days in early in Thailand during the Vietnam War at Udorn RTAFB.
You are an incredible asset and a valued friend of Dawgs.
Todd M. Thomas
The Feed the Dawgs Project is exceedingly
pleased to announce the appointment of
US Army Major Todd M. Thomas to the
Kennel Masters Committee, effective 27 July 2010. Todd has proven beyond question his loyalty and dedication to the well being and exceptional care of today's Military Working Dog. He honors himself, the US Army, the services-wide MWD Program, and he honors the heritage of K9. We proudly bestow upon
Major Todd M. Thomas, DVM, the title of
"DOCTOR DAWG!"
David Torres
David was "drafted" to the Kennel Massters on 4 June 2011.
David engaged the Dawgs Project from the first minute that he and Co-Founder Jon Hemp met at the 2010 Red White & Cruise in Fontana. Throughout the balance of the 2010 calendar, David stepped up with absolute hustle to insure that funding was available, cookers were provided to regional kennels, and that the future of the Dawgs Project would be insured. He met the Dawgs Team for the first time at the 2nd Annual Luke Air Force Base Feed Event in Phoenix, and he has been instrumental in coordinating the 2011 Red White & Cruise Salute to the Young Dawgs.
David is a Vietnam Veteran of the US Army Tracker Dog Program - an honor to the US Army, the Dawgs Project, and himself. We're proud to know you.
Jerome Vahalik IV
Jerome was "drafted" to the Kennel Masters on 4 June 2011, the day of the 3rd Annual "Vandy" Feed Event.
US Air Force TSgt Jerome Vahalik is a Dawg's Dawg.
From the very first Feed Event at Vandenberg's 30th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog Section in 2009, this Kennel Master has proven that his dedication to his Boots, his dedication to the MWD Program, and his dedication to his family are all very high priorities.
We are genuinely honored to have Committee Members of such exceedingly high caliber.
You make us proud, Kid!