What Unit Is This?

[Bruce_in_Oz]

My limited experience is with a brief association with RAAF "pooches".

They come from all manner of backgrounds, but by hard work from the "handlers". become part of the "machine", to the point that, when the handler demises or retires, there is a problem.

Will the dog accept a new "handler"?

Quite a few "retirees" take the option of taking their faithful and fearless companion as part of their "severance package". These are "one man (person) dogs", who know damn well that their handler will die to defend them and they will reciprocate in turn. VERY few dogs will accept a new "Handler".

I have encountered a few "retired" pooches, who have only barely fitted into "civvy street". BEST mate a person could have in a sticky situation. I have heard of a few retired "handlers" who have "lost the plot" badly when the disparity between "doggie years" and human years catches up.