Sgt. Fieldy Comes Home
REUNITING BROTHERS IN ARMS
There are around 2,500 military working dogs currently in service, and their efforts help save the lives of countless soldiers and civilians every day. One of these brave military dogs is Sgt. Fieldy, an 11-year-old black lab who was trained to locate the No. 1 threat in Afghanistan: IEDs. Sgt. Fieldy was deployed to Afghanistan with his handler, Cpl. Nicolas Caceres, in 2011. Early in their deployment, their vehicle struck a pressure plate while they were on patrol. Fieldy and Caceres were all right, but one of the other Marines in their company was badly injured in the explosion. The injured Marine could not be evacuated by helicopter until the landing zone was secured. Fieldy found another IED in the area and alerted Caceres. The bomb was quickly disarmed, and the injured soldier was taken to safety. This wasn’t the only IED Fieldy found. His sharp nose and dedication helped save thousands of lives. After his deployment, Caceres returned home, but Sgt. Fieldy served several more tours without him. While Fieldy continued to protect soldiers and civilians by tracking down IEDs, Caceres worked tirelessly to make sure he could bring Fieldy home when his service was over. Military working dogs can be adopted by former handlers, law enforcement, or qualified civilians when they retire. After three years apart and a total of four tours served, Sgt. Fieldy
was reunited with Caceres. In 2016, Fieldy received the K9 Medal of Courage Award, and in 2018, he won the American Humane Hero Dog Award for his service. “These dogs are out there with us,” said Caceres when he and Fieldy accepted the Hero Dog Award. “The dangers we face, they face them too. They deserve to be recognized. We ask so much of them, and all they want is to get petted or play with a toy. They’re amazing animals, and Fieldy is just an amazing dog. I can’t begin to express the gratitude I have for him.” If you are interested in supporting our nation’s working dogs or would like to adopt a retired working dog yourself, you can learn more at Missionk9rescue.org.
READY FOR A NEW WINTER ADVENTURE?
Louisiana doesn’t see much snow, but the barbeques, boating, and other summertime activities slow to a crawl during the cold of winter. Many people hunker down in brisk temperatures, rarely leaving the warm confines of their homes, but just because the weather is dreary doesn’t mean your sense of adventure needs to diminish. There are plenty of winter activities in the Ozark and Appalachian Mountains, and one of the best is snowshoeing. Hiking appeals to the masses because of how accessible it is — you don’t need expensive gear to start, just a good pair of shoes and a willingness to explore. When winter rolls in and popular hiking loops lose their luster, avid trail blazers have to look elsewhere to fill their thrill-seeking needs. Snowshoeing is the most common transition for outdoor enthusiasts because the principles are the same. With TRY SNOWSHOEING!
just a specialty pair of snowshoes, you can experience the same joy of hiking, only in a winter wonderland. If you’re concerned about unpredictable terrain, many mountain resorts with Nordic centers offer snowshoeing excursions alongside cross-country skiing. These groomed trails give you the opportunity to explore at your own pace while enjoying the scenery. Of course, those looking for a little more excitement can head into the wilderness and carve their own path. Beginners be warned: If you’re going off- trail into deep snow, poles are a must! Don’t let the cold temperatures or expensive costs of winter sports hold you back from the joys of the outdoors.Get outside and try snowshoeing this season!
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