Secret Service Dogs

The Heroes Who Protect the President of the United States

By: Maria Goodavage, Clint Hill - foreword

Narrated by: Nicole Vilencia

In an age fraught with terrorism, United States Secret Service canine teams risk their lives to safeguard the president, the vice president, their families, visiting heads of state, and a host of others. Unprecedented access to these heroic dog teams has allowed a fascinating first-time-ever look at a very special breed of heroes.

Wherever the president goes, there will be dogs. They'll be there no matter what the country or state. They'll be there regardless of the political climate, the danger level, the weather, or the hour.

"If you let down your guard on the job," says Special Agent Bill G., canine program manager, "it can change the history of the world." It's a burden Secret Service dog handlers take extremely seriously regardless of their specialty. Tactical dog handlers on the White House lawn, handlers whose dogs sniff for explosives around the world, and those who walk their amiable floppy-eared dogs up and down Pennsylvania Avenue all live one common mantra: Not on my watch. Or my dog's.

Secret Service Dogs immerses listeners into the heart of this elite world of canine teams who protect first families, popes, and presidential candidates: the selection of dogs and handlers, their year-round training, their missions around the world, and, most important, the bond - the glue that holds the teams together and can mean the difference between finding bombs and terrorists or letting them slip by.

"These animals will gladly run into a hail of gunfire," says '"Stew", a Secret Service ERT tactical canine unit supervisor. "All they ask in return is for their handlers to throw the ball with them, pet them, and talk to them in an embarrassingly high voice."

Secret Service Dogs celebrates the Secret Service's most unforgettable canine heroes. It is a must-listen for fans of Maria Goodavage, anyone who wants a rare inside view of the United States Secret Service, or anyone who just loves dogs.

©2016 Maria Goodavage (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A pawesome book on the lives of Secret Service dogs." (Time Magazine)

“Secret Service Dogs offers an inside look at these animals; how they're selected, trained, and save the president from bad guys...a collection of funny, dramatic, and heartfelt anecdotes.” (MensJournal.com)

“Even non-dog lovers will be fascinated by Maria Goodavage’s in-depth examination of the highly trained canines and their equally impressive human handlers in Secret Service Dogs.” (The Associated Press)

Awesome read

Absolutely loved this book. A real insight into the experiences and working of these incredible teams.

Best ever dog book

I absolutely loved this book. Even though at this time I do not have a dog the entire story mesmerized me.

Fantastic Stories about the great partners in the Secret Service!

Enjoyed this book very much, some humor, some sad parts but all very interesting. I had no clue what these dogs and handlers do. I listened to it twice in case I missed something. The narrator had a
Pleasant voice and it was as if she was close by telling the stories. Well written and enjoyable!!

Great book about great people and their dogs

Not sure what I was expecting but this was a book that taught me a great deal the role of the Secret Service and their dogs as they carry ought one of the most important jobs in the world. Very well written. It have been a dry recital the facts but turned into a great story about brave people and dogs.l

A good listen.

A good dog non - fiction story. Worth buying. Good naration. These dogs are heros.

Brought me closer to my dog

listened in 2 days. Wonderful for any dog lover. this book will enlighten you to the wonders of K-9's

Secret Service Dogs

A well written emotional non fiction look at the life of secret service dogs and their partners. Be warned if you treasure dogs you will shed a lot tears through this inside look. Kudos to Maria Goodridge and her great writing for telling their stories.

Great Listen

fantastic fron start to finish. it is one of those books that leaves you wanting more and more at the end.

thanks to the hard work, dedication and service to the K9 teams that train constantly to protect people

Very good g pod book

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Engaging, Informative, and Important

I have read all three of Maria Goddavage's books on working dogs, and I believe this may be the best of them, although I also recommend the others. We foster Military Working Dog puppies for the Breeding Program at Lackland in San Antonio so we know something about MWDs and how they are used in the field. It was interesting to learn about the similarities and differences in procurement, training, and deployment of the Secret Service canines.

The puppies we raise are all Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shepherds, and the breed characteristics described in this book are accurate. These dogs are highly energetic, driven, joyful, and fierce creatures--all at the same time, in one 60-90 lb. package. Even the "washouts" we have adopted are forces to nature, and not "normal" dogs. The author explains that Malinois are perfect for some situations but not for all. Agencies, including the Secret Service, often deploy "floppy-eared" or "friendly-looking" dogs where close contact with the public is required since the "pointy-eared" canines are intimidating to many folks. It is important to understand the knowledge and consideration that goes into deploying the right dog for each job and to respect that all are needed for the program to be fully successful.

I enjoyed the structure of this book even though others have criticized it. The narrative alternated throughout the book from facts about the dogs and the program to accounts of specific dogs and their handlers. It was basically chronologic but not obviously so. In my opinion, the author found an engaging way to provide basic information while also demonstrating the vital emotional component that allows the human/canine teams to function effectively. Dogs are not "equipment" as some believe; they are living, breathing, sentient beings who respond best when this is understood and acted upon.

I recommend this book highly to all citizens. We fund programs for working canines in our military, law enforcement, fire departments, the Secret Service, and other public agencies. We see working dogs in many areas of our lives, and we owe it to ourselves and our communities to have an understanding of their value, their needs, the services they render us, and the great debt we owe them.