NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
A large group of team members from DLA Land and Maritime, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, toured DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania’s Eastern Distribution Center May 23.
For nearly everyone in the group, it was the first time visiting DDSP. As they walked through the largest defense distribution warehouse, many were impressed with the size and layout. But, there was one tour member who wasn’t exactly impressed, and truth be told, he actually looked rather bored while laying down on the concrete floor of the warehouse, while the rest of the group listened to details about the warehouse given by a DDSP representative.
The group member lying down on the job, so-to-speak, is Scout, a five-month old black Labrador Retriever, in training to be a service guide dog. He accompanied the group on their tour. He did seem to perk up when the group toured the walk and pick area.
Melanie Pepperman, contract specialist, DLA Land and Maritime, is also a puppy trainer for The Seeing Eye, based out of Morristown, New Jersey.
“I’ve had Scout since he was seven weeks old, got him in February this year and he’s doing great. He’s visited many warehouses, it’s good exposure for him, with all the noises and textures,” said Pepperman, adding, “He goes to work with me, he goes everywhere I go.”
According to the DDSP tour guide, it was relatively easy to arrange Scout’s visit of the warehouse. “We have a team member here in the J6 that does the same thing with a dog Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. So, it was not a problem arranging Scout’s visit.”
According to group organizer, Carin Hoover, contract specialist, DLA Land and Maritime, it’s been a while since the last time a group came over from Mechanicsburg.
“Nearly two or three years ago, another group had come over and toured. It’s arranged by our culture council, and some of the people who were not able to make that trip, are on this one. As contract specialists, a lot of stuff that we buy, either comes here or to Tracy, California. It’s helpful to see the operation up close,” said Hoover.