Amanda & Brian’s Engagement Session with Cuervo, Retired Military Service Dog

Amanda & Brian’s Engagement Session with Cuervo, Retired Military Service Dog

I recently had the pleasure of photographing Amanda & Brian for their engagement session at Raleigh’s Pullen Park. Amanda & Brian met through mutual friends. Brian came down to ECU, where Amanda was studying, while on leave for a few days around Halloween in 2015. And the rest is history!

They included Brian’s retired military working dog, Cuervo, in their session. Most of my couples include their dog in their engagement session, but I’ve never photographed a retired military dog! Cuervo and Brian worked as a Military Working Dog team. Their job included missions such as security for President Obama, Vice President Biden, and keeping Dover Air Force Base secure.

Here are a few more interesting facts about SSgt Shatswell and Retired Military Working Dog Cuervo. United States Air Force.

• Cuervo and Brian have been together for over 5 years. 

• Cuervo is a dual-purpose trained Belgian Malinois. He is trained to locate explosives and perform law enforcement duties that include, but are not limited to, building searches, open area searches, and suspect apprehension. 

• Cuervo has had countless hours of training and experience that puts his value in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. He has been one of America’s best assets in the United States Air Force. 

• Cuervo served deployments during both Operations of Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel. During Cuervo’s deployments, he searched over 6000 vehicles and 120 buildings.

So, Brian and Cuervo are kind of a big deal!

Amanda & Brian shared their military portrait with me. So handsome!