When Lieutenant Commander Ike, military service dog, boards the USS Wasp, the lead amphibious assault ship in the U.S. Navy, people notice.

He’s truly unlike any other sailor but immediately commands respect. And we wouldn’t suggest directing any kind of slight at Ike, especially around the Wasp’s crew, which when full is over 3000 people. It’s true, LCDR Ike walks on four feet, chases a ball, and sometimes gets into mischief. He even pees on the deck, which is his unique right on board. But LCDR Ike provides his own significant service to the ship, which is obvious when he’s with the crew and is now even backed by rigorous studies.

So what’s it like to have a military service dog on a ship? Today On the Dogwatch we have the pleasure of talking with Brooke Corson, a former drill sergeant and combat specialist in the U.S. Army who founded Mutts With A Mission. A dog trainer since she was young, Brooke founded Mutts With A Mission to train and provide service dogs to support military veterans, police and first responders, and now also Expeditionary Facility Dogs on Navy ships.

In our conversation, we learn about Brooke’s unique background and training, the founding and “Mission” behind the organization, and learn what goes into training a true service dog. We of course also spend time on Brooke’s work in developing the Expeditionary Facility Dog program, and get to know LCDR Ike and what his life and service are like.

Brooke joins a host of other dog and military service content on the podcast, including Alexandra Horowitz, dog a

This is not one to miss, so let’s get on board with our favorite military service dog and Mutts with a Mission.