There are not many jobs where you get to work beside your best friend every day - but Corporal Keani Charlesworth believes she may have found the best one.
Posted to 13 Squadron at RAAF Base Darwin as a military working dog hander (MWDH), Corporal Charlesworth's role allows her to fulfil her childhood dream of working with animals and serving in the Australian Defence Force.
Corporal Charlesworth grew up in Kingscliff, NSW, and joined the Royal Australian Air Force in January 2020 through the Security Forces (SECFOR) Gap Year Program.
When she applied, the wait to become an MWDH was more than three years.
"When I learnt of the MWDH role, I knew that was what I wanted to do and I submitted my application straightaway," Corporal Charlesworth said.
"After being told of the long wait, I decided to join as a Gap Year and get my foot in the door.
"As soon as I completed 12 months in the SECFOR role, I applied for the MWDH Basic Course and was lucky enough to be accepted on my first attempt."
The application process for MWDH is extremely competitive, with only one course run each year for eight to 12 candidates.
Corporal Charlesworth said her time in the SECFOR role made her physically and mentally prepared to be chosen and to qualify as an MWDH.
As an MWDH, she conducts foot and vehicle patrols, securing aircraft, assets and perimeter fence lines, responding to security incidents or threats on base and conducting continuous training to ensure the military working dogs (MWD) remain at a high standard.
Corporal Charlesworth's first MWD was a Belgian Malinois named Jack, who retired from active service last year aged seven for medical reasons.
Jack now lives with Corporal Charlesworth, enjoying his retirement in the air-conditioning and taking naps on the couch.
'You have to be very self-driven and have the motivation to put in the time and work to ensure that your dog reaches training standards.'
Her current MWD is a three-year-old Belgian Malinois named West, whom she was paired with in September last year.
"West arrived to me as a development dog, which meant she required a lot of training to qualify her as a military working dog," Corporal Charlesworth said.
"You have to be very self-driven and have the motivation to put in the time and work to ensure that your dog reaches training standards.
"It's very rewarding to put in the work and physically see the results and improvements in your dog's behaviour and training."
Corporal Charlesworth describes West as sassy and independent. Although West is the smallest MWD in Darwin, she's also undoubtedly the quickest.
"West is a young dog and can definitely act her age sometimes," Corporal Charlesworth said.
"She is so playful and energetic. West loves to play sneaky games with me and the other handlers, particularly running away when she knows it's time to go back to the kennels."
Each MWD is different, and for independent dogs like West, it can take a lot of time and work to form a strong bond.
Corporal Charlesworth and West spend almost the whole working day together - and start each day with physical training.
"She comes on patrol with me and we conduct training sessions throughout the day," Corporal Charlesworth said.
"On the days I need to complete admin tasks in the office, she can sometimes be found lying under my desk, enjoying the air-conditioning."
'I get to work with my best mate every day and no matter what kind of day I'm having, she is always excited to get out of the kennel and work with me.'
Corporal Charlesworth said the most important part of a strong bond with any MWD was trust.
"If we respond to a threat on base, I know she has my back and she knows I have hers," Corporal Charlesworth said.
Every day is different as a MWDH and getting to work closely with your dog means there is never a dull moment.
"I can't pick a single best part about working with West," Corporal Charlesworth said.
"I get to work with my best mate every day and no matter what kind of day I'm having, she is always excited to get out of the kennel and work with me.
"It makes me look forward to coming to work every day, knowing she is there excited to see me."
For anyone considering becoming an MWDH, Corporal Charlesworth said it was worth persevering.
"Not everyone gets through on their first attempt, but if you are passionate about it - don't give up, it is 100 per cent worth the wait."
