Good boy! A Coast Guard working dog was honored in Chesapeake, Virginia this week for eight years of distinguished service.
The canine, Senior Chief Petty Officer Tin, is officially retired after serving as an explosive ordnance detection for the Coast Guard from 2011 to 2019. The Maritime Security Response Team in Chesapeake held a special ceremony and presented him with a traditional shadowbox of memorabilia from his career. In the short Coast Guard video below, Tin looks very proud of his service:
Chief Petty Officer John Mitchell, Tin’s lead handler, said that a highlight of Tin’s career was providing security assistance for the 2016 Super Bowl. Tin also conducted explosive detection sweeps for heads of state and high-ranking delegates throughout his eight years.
Tin was named after Santos Valentin, a New York Police Department officer who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Chief Petty Officer Mitchell intends to adopt Tin, saying Tin will enjoy plenty of treats, walks and bones in his retirement.
“Anything to keep him busy,” says Mitchell. “He really doesn’t like to sit still.”
-Meg Walburn Viviano
