Stanwood native trains K-9 police teams in Iraq

Staff Sgt. Jodi Stone and “Bengo” work as a team to detect explosives in Iraq. She is currently stationed at the Contingency Operating Base Speicher in Tikrit, Iraq, working as a kennel master with the Speicher K-9 teams.

After graduating from Stanwood High School in 1998, Stone immediately entered the U.S. Army.

Her parents, Barbara and Francis Stone, were supportive of her decision, as was her sister, Jamie Woodruss.

“My family has been there every step of the way,” she said.

The continued support makes it easier to be away from home, but she does miss her family at times.

Training — and three deployments — have taken her throughout the United States, to North Korea, and now, Iraq.

When she learned about the chance to join K-9 school in 2005, she jumped at the chance.

“To be deployed with a dog at your side 24/7 was too hard to resist,” she said.

A typical day for Staff Sgt. Stone starts at 6 a.m. with her dog, “Bengo,” a 7-year-old German Shepherd.

She leads Bengo through explosive detection and patrol training with six other K-9 teams in the morning and evenings.

“Training is scheduled around the heat,” she said.

The animals are given numerous breaks from the sweltering temperatures in specialized air-conditioned vehicles.

At any time, the teams can be pulled away for mission support or force protection patrols.

“The animals are dual purpose dogs,” said Staff Sgt. Stone.

While on patrol, handlers can direct the dogs to focus on explosive or narcotics detection, skills the Iraqi Police have taken an interest in.

Staff Sgt. Stone and fellow Speicher K-9 handlers on the base recently worked with local police teams on doghandling training.

Explosives of different amounts are hidden in various vehicles and on a field. Handlers direct their dogs to sniff the air and ground, signaling a hit by sitting near the source of the scent.

The dogs are rewarded with a toy, words of praise, and a “good pat on the back.”

The Iraqi Police has been training with the experts at Speicher for three months.

The training is part of stability operations continuing in Iraq.

“It’s neat to watch the IPs (Iraqi Police) build bonds with the dogs,” said Staff Sgt. Stone. “They display love to the dogs and the dogs love them back.”

She said the officers are showing significant improvement as a result of the training, due to their willingness to learn.

“It’s rewarding,” said Staff Sgt. Stone. “More Iraqi people will be safe.”

The most challenging aspect of training K-9 teams is learning the dog’s personality quirks, she said. Little annoyances can develop into larger problems down the road. If they are identified early in the process, solutions can be provided.

Does Bengo have any quirks?

“In my opinion,” said Staff Sgt. Stone, “no, but he’s mine.”

Despite the connection, Staff Sgt. Stone is leaving Iraq, and Bengo, in a few months. After a year out of country, she’s anxious to see her family stateside.

“I’ll be home soon,” she wanted her parents to hear.

She has decided to extend her military career by entering drill sergeant school in January.

Whether or not she will get another opportunity to work with dogs again remains unknown, but she “loves the military life” and will take on any challenge.

As far as becoming a drill sergeant, she’s already had some experience “barking” orders.