Article by Martin Brookes
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The Princess Royal Opens New Home for Army's Military Working Dogs in Rutland
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has officially opened a new purpose-built veterinary and rehabilitation centre and new Military Working Dog Kennel lines for the Army's military working dogs at Kendrew Barracks in Rutland.
The facility forms part of a £77 million investment programme at the barracks and provides a new home for the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment (1 MWD). Operating in her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC)—the specialized corps responsible for the health, welfare, and operational effectiveness of military working animals across Defence—The Princess Royal toured the site, meeting military working dog handlers, RAVC personnel, civilian support staff, and soldiers from the Regiment.
The centre brings veterinary care, rehabilitation, accommodation, and training together on a single site for the first time, and can accommodate up to 150 military working dogs. These animals which include breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, and Belgian Malinois play a vital role, supporting Defence operations in the UK and overseas through specialist capabilities including explosive detection, building and vehicle searches, and force protection tasks.
The wider £77 million investment programme at Kendrew Barracks has also delivered a new gym, an armoury, and other modern facilities across the site.
At the heart of the project is a new veterinary clinic featuring multiple surgical suites, allowing several procedures to run at once and reducing waiting times. The clinic also includes physiotherapy and hydrotherapy areas, ensuring injured or recovering dogs can receive specialist rehabilitation on site, close to their handlers and unit.
Previously, dogs requiring surgery were often treated at the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray. The new facilities allow a much greater range of treatment and rehabilitation to take place directly at Kendrew Barracks, reducing the need for dogs to be cared for away from their handlers and regiment.
The new kennels have been designed around modern animal welfare principles. Larger living spaces, sound-dampening measures, visual screening, and carefully planned access routes create a calmer environment, reducing stress and supporting the dogs' wellbeing throughout their service.
Dogs also have access to individual outdoor exercise runs featuring varied surfaces such as grass, sandstone, and woodchip, along with shade, drinking water, and planting. These elements encourage natural behaviours like exploration, sniffing, and play, further enhancing overall wellbeing.
Beyond the dog facilities themselves, the wider investment has already delivered a Military Working Dog Compound comprising kennels, veterinary and squadron offices, exercise runs, and a scent training barn. Other completed work includes a new gym and armoury, refurbished crew rooms and an Army Education Centre, storage units, a Light Aid Detachment (LAD), and a secure fence line.
Reflecting on the milestone, Lieutenant Colonel Ann O'Flynn, Commanding Officer of the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, said:
"From training to veterinary treatment and rehabilitation, this facility has been designed around welfare and operational effectiveness. Our military working dogs are highly trained and valued members of the Army team. Bringing their care, accommodation and training together on one site means they're treated faster, recover more effectively and live in an environment built around their wellbeing.
"These facilities also support the handlers and staff who work alongside them every day, helping us maintain the highest standards of care while keeping our dogs ready for Defence operations."
The Regiment relocated to Kendrew Barracks from St George's Barracks, North Luffenham, as part of Defence Estate Optimisation plans. The move allowed the creation of modern facilities tailored to the needs of military working dogs, handlers, and veterinary staff, successfully consolidating training, veterinary care, and operational activity onto a single site.
The project began in December 2023 and is being delivered in phases. Additional scent training facilities are due for completion by October 2026, followed by a second phase that will deliver a new Regimental Headquarters and stores complex, scheduled for completion in 2028.
As these canine heroes eventually conclude their active careers, the Regiment ensures that every effort is made to rehome military working dogs in appropriate environments at the end of their service.
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