by Mike Ritland
First published 2013
Mike Ritland chronicles his journey from Navy SEAL combat veteran to founder of an elite military dog training company. After witnessing a working dog's capabilities during his Iraq deployment, Ritland discovered his mission: identifying and training the rare canines capable of serving alongside America's most elite combat units. His company began supplying specially trained dogs to SEAL teams, the U.S. Government, and Department of Defense. Ritland explains how fewer than one percent of working dogs possess the qualities needed for these extreme missions. He details the rigorous selection process and intensive training that transforms exceptional animals into detection and apprehension specialists capable of operating in the most dangerous battlefield conditions. These athletic, aggressive canines form deep bonds with their handlers while integrating fully into their units. The book reveals how these K9 warriors mirror their human teammates in their unwavering duty, toughness, and ability to push through pain and fear. Ritland provides unprecedented access to the world of these specialized dogs, from explosive detection to direct combat operations, showcasing some of the planet's most intelligent and skilled working animals.
Genres: military-fiction, adventure, action, non-fiction, biography-memoir, true-crime
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
Setting: Iraq
Period: 21st-century
288 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin's Press