Heroic Tale of a Marine and His Dog: A Journey from Battlefields to Home
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by
Matthew Krug
Author: Heather Anne Lee | Photos: Fred Lopez
Read Full Article: https://issuu.com/emagency/docs/_localwg_july/18
It’s a story of heroes, best friends, and Marines – the inspiring journey of Brandon Marquez and his loyal canine partner, Shimanski. Their tale is a testament to the power of friendship and unwavering dedication, and how they are using their unique skill set to improve lives in their local community.
Brandon Marquez began his military career without a specific end goal in mind, other than to seek out a challenge. As he navigated his way through military police school, he learned about the dog handling program and felt an immediate spark. The idea of training dogs for military purposes excited him, prompting him to commit wholeheartedly to this path.
Brandon Marquez began his military career without a specific end goal in mind, other than to seek out a challenge. As he navigated his way through military police school, he learned about the dog handling program and felt an immediate spark. The idea of training dogs for military purposes excited him, prompting him to commit wholeheartedly to this path.
After several months of intensive training and rigorous applications, Brandon was one of the four individuals selected for the prestigious dog handling program. But, just as he was gearing up, the program lost its funding. Unfazed, he continued his pursuit in Japan, volunteering at a local dog training facility. Within a year, he had developed the knowledge and expertise of handling different breeds and training styles.
Brandon’s passion and dedication eventually paid off. He was selected to join the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) in North Carolina as a Multi-Purpose Canine (MPC) Handler. Here, he literally started the program from scratch. He was tasked with creating the kennel, writing policies, training manuals, and every operational procedure in place.
By his side throughout this journey was Shimanski, his first and only military working dog. They grew together, refining and enhancing the program over the years. Their unwavering commitment to the program took them to the war zones in Afghanistan. They spent seven years in service, underwent four deployments, and completed hundreds of missions, elevating the program’s stature and redefining it to what it is today.
Eventually, the accumulative stress of continuous deployments, intense warfare, and non-stop adrenaline began to take a toll on Brandon. After experiencing physical symptoms from a traumatic brain injury, he realized it was time to prioritize his health and wellness, prompting his exit from active duty.
After his retirement, Brandon spent a year undergoing treatment and focusing on self-improvement. This time also gave him the opportunity to explore other avenues. He experimented with online dog training, which sparked a passion for continuing his dog training expertise into civilian life.
Now, based in Winter Garden, Florida, Brandon, alongside Shimanski and other canine companions, runs Crux Canine – a dog training business he established. In addition to this, he launched Southern Cross Service Dogs, a remarkable initiative aimed at training dogs to help people in need. The initiative’s goal is to provide fully trained service dogs at no cost to veterans or anyone requiring their assistance.
Brandon and Shimanski’s incredible journey from the battlefield to the homefront is a tale of courage, resilience, and unfaltering friendship. Now, through their new initiatives, they continue to serve and impact lives, demonstrating the limitless potential of human-dog partnerships. Their story is an example of service beyond duty, reaching out from the military frontlines to local communities, proving once again that every end is simply a new beginning.
