MWDTSA Press Release

Black and tan versions of the shirts, created especially with the dog handlers in mind, have been sent overseas to handlers in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of some Christmas packages. Royal blue and white T-shirts and hoodies are also available for purchase with the same MWDTSA design. Catching the eye of one of Hollywood's own, Muse Watson, who has appeared in TV shows such as NCIS and Prison Break and the movie I Know What You Did Last Summer, placed and took delivery of the very first order in his support of Military Working Dogs. Funds generated from the sale of the t-shirts and hoodies will support the organization's missions.

Courtney chose to work with the Military Working Dog Team Support Association (MWDTSA) as part of her senior project, out of a great respect for the men, women, and canines serving our country. When asked about her contribution to the organization, Griffin replied, "The greatest moment for me, apart from creating the design, was hearing the positive feedback from the active duty handlers and realizing that I truly have made an impact." Dixie Whitman, MWDTSA President, is delighted with the response from the dog handlers. "The dog handlers very rarely will ever ask for anything for themselves, they are always, first and foremost, concerned with the well-being of their K-9 partners. This shirt is the first thing I've ever had them request for themselves. They love it." she stated. The first 120 shirts were sent as gifts to dog handlers.

As part of the Cherokee county school district's senior project, students are required to work with a project facilitator who is considered knowledgeable in their field. "For me, when I chose to work with this type of organization, Dixie was a logical choice. Not only is she a wonderful person, she is a great role model. Not many people have the determination to actively pursue something they are so passionate about." Courtney spends hers days volunteering at a local vet clinic, working on homework, and supporting military working dog teams in Iraq and Afghanistan. Slated to attend Mississippi State University in fall 2010, she plans to major in Biochemistry with a Pre-Vet concentration.

Military working dogs are most commonly German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Belgian Malinois, all breeds which display superior intelligence, stamina, and a willingness to work. Each dog must endure an intensive training program at Lackland Air Force Base before being paired with a handler and deployed. An average MWD may serve up to 10 years before retiring. Not many people realize that without the contributions of these amazing animals we would be hard pressed to clear Afghanistan of land mines and search out hidden weapon caches in Baghdad. The dogs are exposed to the same extreme conditions and inherent dangers that human soldiers are exposed to, and they deserve the same support. For more information and to purchase a shirt (T-shirts in tan or royal blue at $24.95 and hoodies in royal blue only at $39.95), please see below.

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Ordering Courtney T-Shirts and/or Hoodies

Mail your request to Dixie Whitman, PO Box 5864, Canton, GA 30114. Specifiy your name and address, telephone number, email address, shirt quantities, types, colors, and sizes. Enclose a check made payable (see prices, above) to Military Working Dog Team Support Association (MWDTSA). Georgia residents please add sales tax. Dixie may be contacted via email at mwdtsa.dixie@yahoo.com .

Click the button below to view a printable order form:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dixie Whitman Canton, GA

Phone: 404-451-2539

For information: www.mwdtsa.org

Contact: mwdtsa.dixie@yahoo.com

Cherokee County High School Student Fetches Support for Military Working Dogs

Canton, GA - December 24, 2009 - Courtney Griffin, a Georgia High school senior, has the dogs and troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan in her thoughts as she readily coordinates her first big fundraiser for their benefit: selling her personal T-shirt design. Working with Canton-based Military Working Dog Team Support Association (MWDTSA), a 501 (c) 3 organization that supports dogs and handlers, Courtney's design features a military working dog hurdling over the "w" in the acronym "MWDTSA".