By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
On February 12, the Mink family found a new family member. The family adopted Benny, a veteran canine that worked in Afghanistan.
Benny, a Belian Malinois, was trained through AMK9, which trains dogs for many purposes, including finding ammo and narcotics, which was Benny’s specialty.
Benny, only 5 years old, worked in Afghanistan for three years. He was meant to be repurposed as a police dog, but during a medical check-up, it was discovered that Benny had hip dysplasia. The swelling of his hips affected his abilty to jump as high as is required.
AMK9 transported Benny back to Anniston, where he had been trained. Once there, he underwent some conduct tests to test his disposition for his reactions to other animals and small children.
“Once we deem the dog adoptable, a third party, Piper’s Rescue, will match the dogs with a home,” said Elaine Carter, AMK9’s Director of Canine Welfare.
That is where Angela, Chad and Shaylyn Mink found him. To make sure the family was a good match for Benny, the Minks’ brought their German Shepard, Koda, with them.
The meeting went well, and less then a month later Koda and Benny spend time lying together on the couch. Both listen to Trooper, the Minks’ Shih Tzu and “ruler of the house.”
Chad and Angela got quite the surprise when they used Benny’s Dutch commands. Koda followed them too.
Chad, now a State Trooper, worked overseas in Iraq.
“I feel like he (Benny) has made Chad more at ease, just knowing that he’s been in the same situation.,” said Angela.
Benny is a registered service dog, and prefers to go everywhere with Chad. If Chad leaves, Benny waits at the door for his return. During a recent trip to Lowe’s, Benny, who wears a disabled veteran vest, was given $10 for treats.
“We will never get another dog that wasn’t a service dog,” said Chad.