Treo receives animal's Victoria Cross for work in Afghanistan

Nine-year-old black Labrador Treo was the centre of attention at the presentation of his People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Dickin Medal (the animal version of a Victoria Cross) at the Imperial War Museum in London yesterday, Wednesday 24 February 2010.

Along with his handler, Sergeant Dave Heyhoe, search dog Treo deployed to Afghanistan in March 2008 and served a six-month tour attached to 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment (1 R IRISH), primarily in the Sangin area.

The four-legged soldier proved to be an invaluable asset as he saved countless lives on numerous occasions by locating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and enemy weapons before they could be used against the British soldiers.

On one particular occasion, Treo located a daisy-chain IED which had been modified and concealed by the Taliban on the side of a path in order to maximise casualties among the soldiers about to pass through the area.

Sgt Heyhoe said:

"He was forward of the troops and he was out there looking for improvised explosive devices and he found a number of those whilst on patrol.

"He's just a happy-go-lucky dog and is so eager to work."

The bond between handler and dog is vital to ensure that the partnership works, but the relationship with the rest of the soldiers is also a big priority.

Officer Commanding Ranger Company, 1 R IRISH, Major Graham Shannon, said:

"Both Sergeant Heyhoe and Treo were with us for the six months that we were in Sangin and they were accompanying the majority of the patrols and providing unbelievable capability to the guys on the ground.

"They quickly integrated with their team so there was a level of trust that was built up between dog and handler as well as with the soldiers.

"Dogs provide a capability that you can't replicate. There's nothing we can do now which can replicate what that dog can find and whether that is finding a roadside bomb or finding weapons that are hidden by the insurgents, the dog can do both."

Speaking about the skill of Treo, Maj Shannon continued:

"Before we would go out on the ground, we'd set up a little lane and have the soldiers watching what the dog could do. The soldiers were told to hide an item, such as some ammunition, to try to see if they could trick the dog so the dog couldn't find it - they were never able to do it. Never.

"The confidence that then developed among the soldiers before they went out on the ground was great, they all wanted the dog on their patrol."

Not only were the lives of many soldiers saved by Treo's work, Maj Shannon said that he personally has much to thank the dog for:

"The lives of many of my soldiers were saved by Treo. There were patrols that I was on in which Treo found devices that were targeted against our patrols so, yes, my life was saved during those patrols."

As well as proving himself as a vital member of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, Treo also provided some much needed distraction at difficult times. Maj Shannon said:

"We were in a very dangerous part of Sangin for a major operation and we'd already been attacked several times that day from both direct fire and with IEDs and we were back in a temporary patrol base trying to have some down-time and recover.

"Sergeant Heyhoe and Treo were there, with Treo just playing around with his ball, and suddenly you're not in Sangin anymore. You're just a bunch of guys sitting around talking about dogs and the war seems a million miles away, so they're a great distraction as well."

Treo, like many military dogs in the Army was donated by a member of the public. Treo joined up when he was one-year-old and was put through his paces with rigorous training to ensure that he had the right qualities to deal with the responsibilities in theatre.

He has now retired from the Army and enjoys a quiet life at home with Sgt Heyhoe.

There have been 63 PDSA Dickin Medals presented to animals, with the recipients including dogs, horses, pigeons and one cat.