Photo: Hunter PoeIt’s a bird, it’s a plane — it’s Duke, the skydiving dog!The 75-lb. dog, who’s already made four jumps along with his owner, Desoto County Sheriff’s Deputy and skydiving instructor Alex Coker, recently became the first dog to ever skydive at West Tennessee Skydiving, reportedWREG.The location is known for being the only spot in the United States where people can perform aHALO jump(which stands for “high altitude low open”). During a HALO jump, skydivers open their parachutes once they reach a low altitude, after free-falling for a while.“It’s nothing better than having a battle buddy that’s with you everywhere you go,” Coker told WREG.To ensure his safety during each jump, Duke gets strapped to Coker’s chest, and wears a protective mask around his eyes and muzzle.Mike LeeHunter PoeBut even though Duke is only 21 jumps away from being able to earn his own honorary skydiving license, Coker tells PEOPLE he “loves him too much to let him do it alone.”RELATED VIDEO: Meet Frances! This Guide Dog Is One of the ‘2018 American Humane Hero Dog Awards’ HonoreesSandra ZenovyevSandra ZenovyevAlthough military dogs have been known to make jumps with their trainers, Coker, who served in the U.S. Army for a decade, told WREG that Duke is a little larger than most canines who make the leap.“Not too many people jump with their dogs who are this big,” he remarked, adding that he can tell how much Duke enjoys skydiving because during the jumps, his ears always point straight up.
Photo: Hunter Poe
It’s a bird, it’s a plane — it’s Duke, the skydiving dog!The 75-lb. dog, who’s already made four jumps along with his owner, Desoto County Sheriff’s Deputy and skydiving instructor Alex Coker, recently became the first dog to ever skydive at West Tennessee Skydiving, reportedWREG.The location is known for being the only spot in the United States where people can perform aHALO jump(which stands for “high altitude low open”). During a HALO jump, skydivers open their parachutes once they reach a low altitude, after free-falling for a while.“It’s nothing better than having a battle buddy that’s with you everywhere you go,” Coker told WREG.To ensure his safety during each jump, Duke gets strapped to Coker’s chest, and wears a protective mask around his eyes and muzzle.Mike LeeHunter PoeBut even though Duke is only 21 jumps away from being able to earn his own honorary skydiving license, Coker tells PEOPLE he “loves him too much to let him do it alone.”RELATED VIDEO: Meet Frances! This Guide Dog Is One of the ‘2018 American Humane Hero Dog Awards’ HonoreesSandra ZenovyevSandra ZenovyevAlthough military dogs have been known to make jumps with their trainers, Coker, who served in the U.S. Army for a decade, told WREG that Duke is a little larger than most canines who make the leap.“Not too many people jump with their dogs who are this big,” he remarked, adding that he can tell how much Duke enjoys skydiving because during the jumps, his ears always point straight up.
It’s a bird, it’s a plane — it’s Duke, the skydiving dog!
The 75-lb. dog, who’s already made four jumps along with his owner, Desoto County Sheriff’s Deputy and skydiving instructor Alex Coker, recently became the first dog to ever skydive at West Tennessee Skydiving, reportedWREG.
The location is known for being the only spot in the United States where people can perform aHALO jump(which stands for “high altitude low open”). During a HALO jump, skydivers open their parachutes once they reach a low altitude, after free-falling for a while.
“It’s nothing better than having a battle buddy that’s with you everywhere you go,” Coker told WREG.
To ensure his safety during each jump, Duke gets strapped to Coker’s chest, and wears a protective mask around his eyes and muzzle.
Mike Lee
Hunter Poe
But even though Duke is only 21 jumps away from being able to earn his own honorary skydiving license, Coker tells PEOPLE he “loves him too much to let him do it alone.”
RELATED VIDEO: Meet Frances! This Guide Dog Is One of the ‘2018 American Humane Hero Dog Awards’ Honorees
Sandra Zenovyev
Although military dogs have been known to make jumps with their trainers, Coker, who served in the U.S. Army for a decade, told WREG that Duke is a little larger than most canines who make the leap.
“Not too many people jump with their dogs who are this big,” he remarked, adding that he can tell how much Duke enjoys skydiving because during the jumps, his ears always point straight up.
source: people.com
