Very good boy Tin retires with honors from 8-year career with Coast Guard

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Senior Chief Petty Officer Tin, a Coast Guard working dog, is honored for his eight-year-long career as an explosive ordnance detection canine. (Photo by U.S. Coast Guard)

After serving his country for eight years, distinguished Senior Chief Petty Officer Tin, a Coast Guard working dog, has officially retired from duty. 

A ceremony for the very good boy was held by the Maritime Security Response Team in Chesapeake, Virginia Thursday morning.

During the ceremony, Tin was gifted a shadowbox containing various memorabilia from his service, but he was more interested in the belly rubs and treats from his senior officers. 

Tin spent most of his career in the Coast Guard’s premier counter-terrorism unit, the Maritime Security Response Team, as an explosive ordnance detection canine. 

He was named after Santos Valentin, a New York Police Department officer who died during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers on Sept. 11, 2001. 

A highlight of Tin’s nearly decade-long career was providing crucial security assistance during the 2016 Super Bowl, according to his handler, Chief Petty Officer John Mitchell.

Throughout his outstanding career, Tin was involved in explosive detection sweeps for various heads of state and other high-ranking delegates.

Mitchell, who intends to adopt the Labrador retriever, said Tin will be enjoying plenty of treats, walks and bones during his retirement.

“Anything to keep him busy,” said Mitchell. “He really doesn’t like to sit still.”