Those who love dogs write the best books about them.
This becomes evident with Maria Goodavage’s latest book
Secret Service Dogs. It is filled with colorful,
funny, dramatic, and heartfelt anecdotes intertwined with
a history of this special unit.
She decided to write this book after researching and finding
there was very little out there about the Secret Service agency’s
canine program. After two bestsellers about military dogs,
she commented, “I thought it would be fascinating to
shift gears and look at the dogs that protect the president
of the United States, the First Family, presidential candidates,
and even the Pope, when he visits the United States. I was
surprised and impressed by how integral Secret Service dogs
are to the many circles of protection for the president.”
Right from the very beginning readers understand the heroism
of these men/women and their canine partners. Another hero,
Clint Hill, who put his life on the line as he jumped on the
JFK car in Dallas, wrote the forward. Goodavage feels honored
that Clint Hill contributed to the book. “I met him
on a boat in San Francisco. After the Lucca book I was thinking
of what I should do next. I talked to him about writing a
book on Secret Service dogs and handlers and he was so gracious
in offering to put me in touch with the right people. After
reading an advance copy he offered to write the forward.”
Never before has anyone been given the access that this author
has by the Secret Service. Readers are taken into this world
that has been “secretive” for many years. It is
informative about the different types of dogs used to guard
the White House and the President, the First Family, and dignitaries.
The Explosive Detection Team travels worldwide with the President.
Emergency Response Dogs is part of a “SWAT” team,
where they would attack an intruder. Tactical dogs protect
the President and the First Family inside the White House
grounds. Floppy-eared dogs aka as Friendly dogs patrol outside
the White House. They are named for their ability to be affable
to those people who are walking or viewing the White House
from the outside.
The incident that brought attention to these dogs was when
someone jumped the White House fence. This book explains all
the details surrounding it and how the Belgian Malinois, Hurricane,
became a hero. After being punched and kicked by the intruder
he still was able to subdue him and had the man give up with
the help of another canine, Jardan. It is through stories
like these that readers gain a good understanding of how the
extensive training allows these dogs to risk their lives to
protect the First Family and the President.
But there are other stories as well. When President Ronald
Reagan, an apparent dog lover, decided to pet one of the dogs
he almost had his hand bitten off, after coming out for a
photo op with the agents and their dogs. He reached out to
shake the Agent’s hand, but the canine at his side stared
up at the President and showed his teeth. Luckily, the handler
put the dog at ease, and nothing came of the incident.
Some might wonder how does the First Family’s dog interact
with Secret Service dogs. The author addresses it within a
chapter. Noting that the handlers were very vigilant about
the pets of the First Family they tried to avoid any confrontation.
She recounts such an incident involving President George W.
Bush’s dog Barney, a Scottish Terrier. Thinking he is
the alpha dog he charged at the ERT dog, Oscar, a Belgian
Malinois. The handler scooped Oscar up high in his arms and
avoided a major incident although Barney did bite his tail.
Besides these anecdotes she also explains the policies of
this unit. One that appears to make no sense is the one and
done. As Goodavage notes, “The “One and done”
has been a policy of the Secret Service’s canine program
since the beginning. It means that as a handler, you get one
dog during your career. Usually, when the dog retires, so
does their human partner. The Canine Unit is popular, and
the idea is that this rule would give others a chance. But
many handlers feel, and I tend to agree, that you’re
losing incredible talent this way. You want the best of the
best when it comes to protecting the president and other key
world figures. Deeply experienced handlers can be tremendous
assets. Fortunately, there have been plenty of exceptions
to the one-and-done policy with a few on their second dog
after their first had a long and fruitful career before retirement.”
Secret Service Dogs by Maria Goodavage is an interesting
insight into this unit. It is eye opening since very little
has been written. Readers will learn about the relationship
between handlers and their partners.
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