Of animals in war event on 23 February 2014

Please find below further stories and backgrounders of interest. For further information on any of the below stories, or for support material, please contact the Communications and Marketing team on the contact details provided on the Of animals in war media alert.

Tania Kernaghan

Nigel Barry Allsopp

Author, Animal Trainer, and behavioural advisor
Nigel Allsopp was born in the UK but started his Military Career in 1980 as a Military Working Dog Handler in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Police. Within his 15 years of service he rose to the rank of DOGMASTER responsible for all aspects of Canine Operations and training within the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
He became the first Military Dog trainer to qualify as a NZ civilian police dog trainer and supervisor. Nigel has trained members from numerous government agencies such as Customs, Police, Corrective Service and Federal Aviation Security in the use of specialist dogs. He has also trained and supplied specialist detection dogs and Military Working Dogs to South East Asian Countries on behalf of formal government requests whilst in the NZDF.
Nigel left the military to pursue a keen interest in wild canine research and commenced work for the Auckland Zoo training all sorts of exotic animals to enhance their behavioural enrichment. This included 3 years as an elephant keeper whilst also training the zoo’s sea lions. He immigrated to Australia to continue his interest in wild canines by working at several zoos and wildlife parks with Manned Wolves, Timber Wolves, Dingoes and African Cape Hunting Dogs.
The lure of working with dogs again inspired Nigel to join the Queensland Police Service where he is currently a Senior Constable in the QPS Dog Section working with a Firearms Explosive Detection Dog (FEDD).

Last Post closing ceremony: Sapper Darren Smith

The Last Post ceremony on the 23 February will commemorate the service and sacrifice of Sapper Darren Smith and his Explosive Detection Dog, Herbie.
On the morning of 7 June 2010, Mentoring Team Alpha conducted a routine foot patrol from Patrol Base Wali with the intention of disrupting the Taliban laying Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in and around the village of Sorkh Lez in the Mirabed Valley. Herbie, Sapper Smith and Sapper Jacob Moreland were investigating metal signature on the footpad of a creek bed, when an IED was triggered. The blast killed Herbie, and mortally wounded both Sapper Smith and Sapper Moreland.
Sapper Smith was born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia and attended Wirreanda High School. Active in that school’s Australian Rules football team, he also played guitar in the school band.
Enlisting in the Army Reserve in 2001, he first undertook basic training at Kapooka, New South Wales. He was posted to the 3rd Field Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers and completed his training as a combat engineer, specialising in bridge building, minefield clearance and demolition. In 2004, he transferred to the regular Army and was posted to the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment in Darwin. After developing an interest in working with dogs, he undertook training as an Explosives Detection Dog (EDD) handler and transferred to the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment. It was here that he was first paired with Herbie; a 2 year old Collie-cross and undertook six months training in preparation for deployment in Afghanistan.
Sapper Smith and Herbie deployed together to Afghanistan with the Mentoring Task Force in 2010. Part of their duties included regularly accompanying infantry patrols – it was the role of Sapper Smith and Herbie to counter the threat of IEDs.
Sapper Smith was 25 years old when he was killed in action. He is listed on the Afghanistan panel of the Roll of Honour, along with the 40 Australian soldiers killed in that campaign.

Stories of animals in war

Animals have played varying practical and psychological roles in Australia’s wartime history, from the working animals such as dogs, horses, mules, pigeons and camels, who gave Australians both physical and practical assistance, to those that played support roles as friends, companions and mascots who gave soldiers affection, hope and relief from the stress of war. Of Animals in War recognises all animals that have worked alongside Australians for over one hundred years.

• Retired Explosive Detection Dog, Sarbi

Sarbi's story is one of survival… For nearly 14 months, Sarbi an Australian Special Forces Explosive Detection dog, was separated from her handler in Afghanistan.
The black Labrador-cross had been declared missing in action following a battle with the Taliban that left nine soldiers wounded, including her handler. A rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) had exploded close to Sarbi, breaking the clip that attached her lead to her handler's body armour. It was the same battle where Trooper Mark Donaldson earned his Victoria Cross.
A US soldier knew his Australian mates were missing Sarbi, and spotted her wandering with an Afghan man near an isolated patrol base in north-eastern Oruzgan Province. Sarbi was flown to Tarin Kowt to be reunited with her Australian Special Forces trainer.
Sarbi was awarded the RSPCA Australian Purple Cross Award in April 2011 at a presentation at the Memorial.
Content sourced from www.defence.gov.au/sarbi.

• Dickin Medal for animals and birds