Nine years instead of 18 months later, we wish our Dog Master Johan van Straaten all the best as he returns to the family farm at the end of January 2025 to re-join his wife and family.
It’s been an incredible journey since Johan began working at the College in 2016, shortly after the K9 unit’s establishment. Before his arrival, Johan had a long and illustrious career working with dogs. His knowledge and experience in dog training, kennel management and dog behaviour – basic and advanced – stood him in good stead as he drove the SAWC’s new K9 Unit forward. At the time, he thought it would only be for a year or two given that his home was in the Eastern Cape!
But drive it he certainly did! Johan has continued to excel and we would like to recognise the incredible impact that he has had not only on our own K9 unit but also on many other canine units both in South Africa and regionally. Fortunately, this impact will continue, with Johan agreeing to continue working with the College on a service-level agreement where we will still draw on his expertise, especially in expanding our canine reach across the SADC region.
During his time at the College, Johan continued advancing his management and dog training skills, especially his counter-poaching and unique free-tracking canine training skills that have led to countless rhinos being saved, weapons being seized from the system and poacher arrests.
His dedication, professionalism, and solid commitment to both the team and the dogs have been inspiring. Under his leadership, the K9 unit has made some incredible advances and has set a high standard of excellence, with several awards under the team’s belt.
His friendliness yet firmness, can-do attitude, sense of humour and unending support will be sorely missed by the College and by everyone he has worked with and come into contact with. This includes ranger and aerial teams across the Greater Kruger area, more especially the Kruger National Park where he supported the teams during live operations and where he was also instrumental in setting up a satellite K9 unit.
He has shown us what it means to lead with integrity and to care deeply for the well-being and training of our K9 unit dogs and their handlers. His expertise and kindness have been invaluable, and his legacy will continue to guide us, and the new incumbent at the K9 unit.
As he embarks on his new journey, we wish Johan farewell knowing that he will always be a part of the SAWC family.
