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 (MWD Sam), 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.
The Hemp Household has been blessed with an 8-year-old US Marine Patrol/Drug Dog - meet Condor H053 of Camp Pendleton fame.
Jennie Hemp says her Dawg and her Dog have a lot in common; they're both old, they both smell a little funny, they occassionally leak gas . . . but they'll be great to have around when a fight starts!
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 presence and participation. Welcome aboard, Kid!
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.
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.
Todd 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!"
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.