National Network for Equitable Library Service

As a SEAL during a combat deployment in Iraq, Mike Ritland saw a military working dog in action and instantly knew he'd found his true calling. Ritland started his own company training and supplying dogs for the SEAL teams, U.S. Government, and Department of Defense. These specialized canines had to pass rigorous selection tests before their serious training could begin. The results were a revelation: highly trained working dogs working in the most extreme environments and the tensest of battlefield conditions. Truly integrating themselves into their units, these K9 warriors are much like their human counterparts -- unwavering in their devotion to duty, strong enough and tough enough to take it to the enemy through pain, injury, or fear. From detecting explosives to eliminating the bad guys, these powerful dogs are also some of the smartest and most highly skilled working animals on the planet.