{"id":2924,"date":"2022-11-21T10:43:34","date_gmt":"2022-11-21T15:43:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/longislandskydiving.com\/?p=2924"},"modified":"2022-11-21T10:43:34","modified_gmt":"2022-11-21T15:43:34","slug":"can-i-go-skydiving-with-my-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/longislandskydiving.com\/blog\/can-i-go-skydiving-with-my-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I Go Skydiving With My Dog?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dogs have been \u201cman\u2019s best friend\u201d for over 20,000 years and have served in combat for almost 3,000 years. From sniffing out the enemy and detecting bombs, to providing emotional support in everyday life, dogs have loyally served beside humans through everything \u2013 from a bad break-up to multiple historical<\/a> wars.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no question why you wouldn\u2019t want your dog with you on something as awesome as a skydive<\/a> \u2013 but can<\/em> dogs go skydiving? Perk up those ears, we\u2019ve got your answer!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Skydiving<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

CAN DOGS SKYDIVE?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, dogs CAN skydive \u2026 with exceptions, of course. Skydiving dogs are not usually a typical pet \u2013 most furry sky companions are highly-trained, elite members of tactical units. They can be very useful in specific military operations and also in the effort to hunt down illegal poachers. These dogs are trained and treated as important members of their respective teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have been a few \u201cregular\u201d parachuting pups who have been skydiving with their owners; however, they are few and far between partially due to the lack of enthusiasm from the Federal Aviation Administration<\/a> (FAA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SKYDIVING WITH WORKING DOGS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Working dogs can be (and are) trained to skydive alongside their handlers in order to perform highly technical military operations<\/a>. The military will deploy dogs that are trained by the United States Navy SEALS to parachute into combat situations with a dog skydiving harness either as tandem passengers attached to their handlers or solo with their own puppy parachute<\/a> (if they will be landing in water).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skydiving with dogs may require specialized combat gear depending on the specific operation \u2013 anything from a kevlar vest to special doggie goggles. (Do you think they call them \u201cdoggles\u201d? *bah-duh-tss*) <\/em>They\u2019ll also sometimes even need supplemental oxygen for specific HALO (high altitude, low opening) jumps!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skydiving dogs can also be trained to take down harmful poachers. Once the handler spots a poacher, the dogs will jump with their handlers from a helicopter. Upon landing, they use their impressive sense of smell to track down the poacher and bring them to justice. These \u201csuper-pups\u201d are instrumental to the conservation and protection of endangered species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DOG SKYDIVING PARACHUTE HARNESS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are multiple designs for the military working dog parachute harness. In 2012, Paratec created the Working Dog Freefall Harness, or K9A, which attached to the handler\u2019s harness and left the dog\u2019s legs a’dangling. This design was updated in 2014 to lengthen the harness for more security and comfort for the dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an effort to solve the \u201cdangling legs\u201d problem, the K9F<\/a> was invented in 2020. This harness was upgraded into a pod-like or sack shape in order to contain the dog’s legs while also being able to lie down in a comfortable position. Almost like a doggie burrito! This position is much more secure and it helps reduce the risk of broken bones from a hard landing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SKYDIVING WITH CIVILIAN DOGS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is extremely rare to see fur-babies on a skydive with their fur-parents, not only because it takes a lot of training and reassurance to get the pup to cooperate \u2013 but also because the FAA doesn\u2019t exactly LOVE the idea of dogs in the skydiving world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are a few examples \u2013 like Riley, the dachshund, who made a skydive with their owner, Nathan Batiste, over sunny California. Or the 75 pound doberman, Duke, who made a total of FOUR skydives with his owner, Alex Coker. Both owners of the parachuting pups are VERY experienced skydivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other adventurous and daring doggos are the BASE jumping, Paco<\/a> and the wingsuiting Whisper<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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