Four retired military dogs receive K-9 Medal of Courage

Four retired military dogs were honored at a Capitol Hill ceremony Tuesday when they were each awarded the K-9 Medal of Courage.

The medals were presented to Military Working Dog Emmie, Military Working Dog K-9 Niko, Military Working Dog Troll and Explosive Detection Dog Sgt. Yeager.

Emmie, a 12-year-old black Lab, worked in Afghanistan detecting improvised explosive devices. After returning to the U.S., Emmie searched cars and buildings at the Pentagon as part of the Pentagon Police Explosive Detector Dog team with handler Eric Harris, who said she now helps his autistic son.While in Afghanistan, Niko cleared routes for advance teams, sweeping houses before high-level meetings and searching vehicles. The 10-year-old Dutch shepherd now lives in Alaska.

Troll, a 12-year-old Dutch shepherd, detected three explosive devices during a four-day air assault mission in Afghanistan in 2012, helping save the lives of 65 service members.