Explosive detection dog Flo Joe honoured posthumously in Australia

On International War and Service Animal Day, 24 February 2026, the Australian War Memorial in Canberra honoured a dog who is no longer alive. According to Australia's public broadcaster ABC, the explosive detection dog Flo Joe was the first Australian service dog to locate an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. Her story is more than a wartime anecdote. It is a reminder of how demanding detection work is, and how much the bond between a dog and a handler matters.

A first find in July 2007

In July 2007, Flo Joe became the first Australian service dog to find an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan, the kind of hidden roadside bomb that posed the greatest danger to troops during that war. Over six years she completed four deployments, including work on a route soldiers called "IED Alley", one of the most dangerous roads in the Australian area of operations.

Besides explosive devices, she found rocket propelled grenade launchers, ammunition and firearms. On her fourth deployment she recorded the most finds in her section. The Canberra Times reported that the award, presented as part of the annual awards run by the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation, recognised her service in Afghanistan.

The handler who adopted her

Sergeant Ian Moss, her third handler, accepted the award on her behalf. He described her as "very intelligent but also affectionate". When Flo Joe retired in 2012, Moss adopted her and she spent the rest of her life with him.

Retirement brought an unusual title: she became the only non-human member of the Thuringowa RSL Club in North Queensland. Club president Jeremy Brown told the ABC that she attended Anzac Day and Remembrance Day events. Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Mitchell, who presented the award, said it recognised service that had been "nothing short of exceptional", adding that the true scale of her contribution could never be fully measured, only deeply appreciated.

A comfort dog was honoured too

On the same day, the Civilian Animal Award went to Lachie, a dog who works in Canberra hospitals and supports the chaplaincy service for ACT emergency services. His handler Chris Dudfield explained that Lachie muzzles the hands of people near the end of their lives, helping them feel comfortable and able to talk without judgement. "We can give them a gentleness and peace near the end of their life," Dudfield said. Two dogs with completely different jobs, built on the same foundation: a reliable dog and a handler who understands him.

What an explosive detection dog can teach dog owners in Serbia

Police, army and customs services in Serbia also use detection dogs, but most owners will never train a dog for that kind of work. Still, Flo Joe's story offers some very practical lessons:

• A dog's nose is its strongest tool. Scent games, often called nosework, are a great way to tire a dog mentally, especially when there is not much room to run. Hide a treat or a toy around the flat and let your dog find it.
• Motivation is everything. Working dogs search because the reward is something they love, usually play. The same goes for a family pet: a dog learns faster when the job is fun.
• The bond with a handler takes years. Flo Joe worked with three handlers, and the last one adopted her. Trust between dog and person is not a side issue, it is the basis of all good work.
• Working dogs deserve a calm retirement. A dog who has worked all its life needs a gradual move to a slower pace, but still needs activities suited to its age.

If you would like to start scent games with your dog and are not sure where to begin, a trainer can show you the basics in a few sessions.

Why this story matters

Dogs like Flo Joe rarely make headlines while they are working. Their success is measured in things that did not happen: explosions that were avoided and soldiers who made it home. That is why her award, even though it came after her death, is a fitting reminder that behind every such dog are years of training, patience and partnership with a human.

Sources: ABC News (Australia), Explosive detection dog Flo Joe posthumously awarded for military service in Afghanistan (English), The Canberra Times, Explosive detection dog Flo Joe awarded for Afghanistan bravery (English)

Photo: Army.mil, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons