CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Coast Guard working dog, Senior Chief Petty Officer Tin, was honored at a retirement ceremony held by the Maritime Security Response Team in Chesapeake, Thursday morning.
The ceremony marked Tin’s retirement from the Coast Guard after eight distinguished years of service.
Tin served as an explosive ordnance detection canine for the Coast Guard from 2011 to 2019. He was named after Santos Valentin, a New York Police Department officer who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Chief Petty Officer John Mitchell, Tin’s lead handler, said that a highlight of Tin’s career was providing security assistance for the 2016 Super Bowl. Tin also conducted explosive detection sweeps for heads of state and high-ranking delegates throughout his career.
During the ceremony, Tin was presented with a traditional shadowbox of memorabilia from his career.
Mitchell, who intends to adopt Tin, said Tin will be enjoying plenty treats, walks and bones during his retirement.
“Anything to keep him busy,” said Mitchell. “He really doesn’t like to sit still.”
Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Tin enjoys attention from his handler, Chief Petty Officer John Mitchell, following his military retirement ceremony at the Maritime Security Response Team in Chesapeake, Virginia, May 2, 2019. Mitchell, who intends to adopt Tin, said Tin will be enjoying plenty treats, walks and bones during his retirement. (U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 2nd Class Katie Lipe).
Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Tin is awarded a traditional shadowbox of keepsake memorabilia at a ceremony held by the Maritime Security Response Team in Chesapeake, Virginia, May 2, 2019. Tin’s retirement ceremony was held in honor of his eight years of service as an explosive detection canine for the Coast Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Katie Lipe).