B (2:42)

That was me.

A (2:42)

Wow. Wow. So one of those guys jumping out of planes and helicopters were you? I love that. That is so amazing that such takes such bravery and such courage and then this next phase of your career has been as a K9 handler. So tell me, why did you transition?

B (3:01)

So the opportunity to be canine came about and you're never going to turn that down. It's such a unicorn position in the coast guard, only being 18 dogs. So when a solicitation came out, I put my name in the hat and just kind of crossed my fingers and I got it.

A (3:20)

Wow. Wow. Why do you think you got it?

B (3:24)

I. Not to brag, but we want you to brag here.

A (3:28)

It's all about you and your hero dome.

B (3:30)

But I had a pretty good resume. Yes, I think. And I also had really great command recommendations and I was so lucky to have such a supporting command and supporting unit that really pushed me to put in for it because I thought that I would be a great fit. So really happy that they pushed me.

A (3:48)

And that's wonderful. It's a great story and it's a great. You're a great role model for young women everywhere because of what it takes to do the job that you did. And now what you're doing too, you're such a great role model. So I'm so glad to have you in Robin's Nest today sharing your personal story. But now we're going to pivot because we have a hero dog in the house. A gorgeous girl canine, Ultra, who by the way, has been grabbing little bugs in the air. We are in Florida in the middle of a beautiful little swampy area. There's lots of bugs for to grab. Tell us about this gorgeous girl and what brave things she does.

B (4:22)

Yeah. So Ultra. She is a 5 year old German Shepherd, Dutch shepherd mix.

A (4:28)

I love her name, by the way. She is Ultra. Thank you.

B (4:31)

Yeah, I didn't pick it, but you know what?

A (4:34)

I.

B (4:34)

It fits her so well and fits the job that she does. She is explosive detection canine in New York City with the Coast Guard, one of 18. And I think she's a rock star.

A (4:46)

She is a rock star. So you're based in New York City?

B (4:49)

I am, yes.

A (4:50)

And. But she does work not just in New York City, is that correct? Correct.

B (4:55)

Yeah. So any major event that the Coast Guard sends us to, we go so major marathons, New York, Boston, Chicago, as well as, you know, Super Bowl. Really any major event that they need, Explosive detection canines. We have the Opportunity to go tell.

A (5:15)

Us what it is to be an explosive canine detection dog. Because I know our law enforcement dog this year is a scent detection for electronics. So explosives detection we've heard of in the military before. Very important during Iraq and the Afghan conflicts there to sniff out weapon caches. Tell us about what Ultra does.

B (5:36)

Yeah, so we are military, but we are a little bit different. So we're not going overseas to, you know, Iraq and protecting soldiers. We are going to major cities and protecting the public. So, yeah, major events. You know, after everything that happened in Boston, it kind of puts things in perspective. You know, the people there are just so inspiring of how something tragic can happen. But we, you know, move on and we come at things with even more excitement and are proud to do what we do.

A (6:17)

Absolutely. Alaina, can you share with us one of you and Ultra's great stories that really touches your heart. By the way, she's just gorgeous. I don't want to scare her, but you are just so gorgeous. Yes. You can smell me all day long. Yes, you can.

B (6:36)

One of the first thing that comes to my mind is during the United Nations General assembly this past year, we were tasked to search the dignitary vehicles before they went and picked up the dignitaries. And we were searching for probably two plus hours. And I could tell she was getting exhausted and needed a break. Kind of just was done for the day. But the very last vehicle, so I, I had thought that, you know, like, she's not really searching anymore. She's just kind of like lagging around. But the last vehicle she sat on, EOD came and cleared it.

A (7:17)

And it was.

B (7:18)

I mean, it was a box of flares, so does have explosive properties. So it's awesome to see that. Even when I think she's not working anymore, when I think she's exhausted, like, she's. She's still sniffing. She's still doing the job.

A (7:33)

She's still doing the job. And how old did she you say she is?

B (7:36)

She just turned five in December.

A (7:37)

So how long will she continue to work?

B (7:39)

So our working life is six years. Six years, yeah. So she has another three before she retires and then I adopt her.

A (7:47)

Oh, I love that. Yeah, I love that. Will you think that you will continue on the Coast Guard and get another dog at that point?

B (7:54)

So, unfortunately, the Coast Guard is one dog, one handler.

A (7:57)

Yes. So.

B (7:58)

So I will continue in the Coast Guard. I will just move to a different job.

A (8:02)

Different job. Yeah. But she'll have her for her forever loving environment, home, which I think is terrific.

B (8:07)

Yeah, she'll become a pet and a couch potato.

A (8:09)

I love. I can't imagine her being a couch potato.

B (8:12)

She's always on, always on until we get home. Her nickname's actually Bug because she's such a cuddle bug.

A (8:19)

When the vest comes off, vest comes.

B (8:21)

Off and we're on the couch, she just cuddles up right next to you and passes out.

A (8:26)

I love that. Well, she works so hard in the day and she's certainly keeping the gentle general public safe and keeping all of us safe at all these incredible events that we feel so fortunate and privileged to go to. It's teams like this, hero dogs and hero handlers like this that keep America safe. It's so incredible. I think you both are such role models and I have to ask you, what is your superpower and what is ultra superpower? I'm asking you both. Yes. What's your superpower?

B (8:57)

I would say personally for me it's resiliency. I think that I put a lot of effort into my job and into my day to day life that I'm not going to be told no. And that's not going to be a stopping point for me. What I'm going to ask, why are you saying no? And if I don't like that answer, I'm just going to keep going until I get the answer that I want. Superpower for her, her ability to keep working. So I guess kind of the same.

A (9:27)

That's right, that's right. Yeah.

B (9:29)

She is just like a little powerhouse. She's small, but she's mighty.

A (9:33)

Yeah, well, like you are. I love that. Well, I would say you both have dogged determination, you know what I'm saying? That's wonderful. And resilience is such a beautiful word to describe a superpower. I love that. Thank you. And an example is what she just did with the U.N. you know, and that convening and still being so tired, but she still pushed on through and it's just wonderful. It's incredible. So now I have to ask you, you brought a little something here. Can you share? I did.

B (10:01)

I brought a. We call it a little mini ultra. It's funny because on the west coast it's a mini Nikki from last year.

A (10:09)

Yes.

B (10:10)

But yeah, so that's a little mini ultra.

A (10:13)

Oh, I love it so much. This is so precious. You know, what I do have to say is a big shout out to the military working dogs and the Coast Guard hero dogs, only 18 of them. And each of these dogs do very, very special things and I'm so proud that American Humane Hero Dog Awards has honored two of these three. Three of these amazing dogs. That's exactly right. Name all three.

B (10:39)

Canine Buddha.

A (10:40)

Canine Nikki. Nikki.

B (10:41)

And then now canine ultra.

A (10:43)

Three of the 18. I love that. It's a great track record, isn't it?

B (10:46)

Absolutely.

A (10:46)

Way to go, coast guard. We've got 15 more Coast Guard you get on the ball to nominate for next year. What does it mean to be Hero Dol of the Year?

B (10:54)

It's. It's an honor, and it's very humbling being able to highlight Ultra's story. But not just Ultra. All the Coast Guard canines that are working behind the scenes to protect the public. And we're small, but we're mighty.

A (11:09)

That's exactly right. That's so true. Well, I want to thank you from all of us for your service, for Ultra's service, and. And most importantly, thank you for keeping America safe. Of course.

B (11:21)

Thank you so much for this opportunity. This has been incredible.

A (11:23)

It's our privilege. So great to have K9 Ultra and Elena Whitaker here in Robin's Nest. Thank you for tuning in to Robin's Nest. We want to hear what you think. Please make sure to review the podcast on your podcast platform. Watch for upcoming episodes that will include new and exciting discussions. If you love animals, you'll love this season of Robin's Nest.