Axel

From 2016 to 2017, Axel underwent Mine Detection Dog (MDD) training at the NPA Mine Action Training Center in Siem Reap Province. Although he did not continue into full field clearance operations, his keen skills and calm temperament made him an ideal fit for a different but vital mission: education and outreach.

From June 2017 to June 2019, Axel worked in the NPA Explosive Detection Dog Show in Siem Reap, where he helped raise awareness about landmines and UXO in Cambodia. His performances demonstrated how working dogs are trained, how they operate in the field, and how crucial they are to saving lives in post-conflict areas.

Though not operational in active mine clearance, Axel served the mission in another equally important way: by helping people understand the dangers of unexploded ordnance and the value of the dogs who detect them.

He officially retired on June 24, 2019, and was welcomed into Home of Heroes on December 15, 2019, where he now lives in peace, surrounded by love.

Axel is known for his easygoing nature, soft gaze, and strong bond with the people around him. While he never walked the minefields like his mother Gucci or his siblings, he earned his place among the heroes with heart, education, and connection.