NAME: Stitch
AGE: 4 1/2 years old
BREED: Belgian Malinois
HANDLER: Rayes Khan
SPONSORS: The Michael Lazar Family of Vermont
WORKING IN:Afghanistan
DONATED TO: OMAR
FUN FACTS : Stitch was sponsored by Rotarian Michael Lazar and his family and became the 2009 Mine Detection Dog Team of the Year!

Stitch and his handler, Rayes Khan, passed accreditation on their first attempt in November 2008. With patience and dedication, Rayes taught Stitch how to deal with the tough conditions in Afghanistan.

In just one year, the team detected 540 mine fragments. The bond between dog and handler continues to grow. Routinely, Stitch will go get his leash and beg Rayes to take him on a walk!

Land Mine
Detection Dog

"Lilo"

NAME: Lilo
AGE: 3 ½ years old
BREED: German Shepard
HANDLER: Senad Hodzic
SPONSORS: The Michael Lazar Family of Vermont
WORKING IN:Bosnia Herzegovina
DONATED TO:  BH Demining, NGO (Non-Government Organization)
FUN FACTS : Lilo was sponsored by Rotarian Michael Lazar and his family in 2005 during the Spring CHAMPS Vermont Campaign. 

Lilo and his handler, Senad Hodzic, completed training at the Mine Detection Dog Center, in Konjic, Bosnia Herzegovina, in early 2006 and began working with BH Demining.  BH Demining, a Bosnian NGO headquartered in Sarajevo, has spent the last 8 years dedicated to making Bosnia Herzegovina a Mine Safe Country. 

When Senad was asked about Lilo’s  personality he said “She is very beautiful … she can be very stubborn, but she is very gentle, quiet, obedient, but most of all, she is sweet!”  Senad, now 26 years old, was born close to the training facility in Konjic.  His love for the dogs, especially Lilo, enhances his desire to do humanitarian work and to help his people. 

Being a bachelor, Senad left his family behind to work with Lilo in the minefields of his country.  “The job is interesting, and I can work with Lilo each day, that is what I love the most.”  His eyes shined a little as he said in conclusion “We are a small community….her and me”.