Bomb-Sniffing Dog’s Story of Adversity Strengthens Bond between K-9 and Handler on Sportsman Channel’s “Saving Private K-9”
OutdoorHub 05.22.14
Rex is anything but an ordinary dog – his explosive detection training makes him a key player in the survival of fellow marines, alerting soldiers to insurgents and other potential threats. Sportsman Channel, the leader in outdoor television for American sportsmen and women, introduces Rex, a bomb-sniffing dog, and his handler, Marine Corporal Megan Leavey, on this week’s episode of Saving Private K-9 exclusively on Sportsman Channel, Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT.
In a dangerous and unpredictable warzone, even the best can’t always prepare for what lies ahead. With Rex by her side, Leavey gains a small sense of comfort during her two tours of deployment in Iraq.
“When your dog responds to an IED, your first feeling is you’re scared, because you don’t know exactly what it’s going to be,” admitted Leavey. “While you’re happy the threat’s been identified, you’re also nervous and unsure at the same time.”
Leavey and her K-9 partner not only work together, but they rely on each other to make it out of high-risk situations alive. Clearing roads of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) is unnerving but part of the job. Rex’s hard work and loyalty at the hands of Leavey prove to be highly valuable, as he detects a number of explosive devices on one of Leavey’s most intense missions. Their bond, though strong, is put to the test when a standard roadside searching procedure in Ramadi turns into a life- threating situation.
