Marshall Legacy Institute

08/24/2026

The Marshall Legacy Institute was glad to connect with Col. Rich Farnell, Col. Pongpat “Deck” Piluek, and Maj. Fernando Rincon on Thursday, Aug. 20, following an initial meeting in Erbil last year, to discuss how MLI’s Mine Detection Dogs and Explosive Detection Dogs have protected local communities and U.S. interests in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and Iraq. We look forward to advancing our partnership to improve security and expand demining and explosive ordnance detection efforts across the region.



Photo 1: (Left to right) Col Piluek, Col Farnell Executive Director Elise Burdette Becker, and Program Director Indre Sabaliunaite on August 20 at MLI’s office.

Photo 2: Photo at the US Consulate in Erbil in November 2025 with Col Piluek and Maj Rincon, and Peshmerga K9 unit.

08/21/2026

Happy Birthday, MDD Rico! 🎂

K-9 Ambassador Rico Cosby turns 12 today! Educational Programs Director Anne Wooleyhand celebrated the occasion with delicious birthday treats from Tail Bangers dog bakery in Millsboro, Delaware. Thank you, Tail Bangers for helping Rico celebrate his birthday!

Enjoy your special day, Rico!

08/21/2026

Did you know that Mine Detection Dogs (MDDs) and Explosive Detection Dogs (EDDs) are some of the most highly trained working dogs in the world? That's because landmine detection is dangerous, and dogs and handlers must stay safe. Every morning, the team completes a field test where the dog searches for a training device containing trace amounts of explosive odor. If the dog does not find the device on their first try, they do not search that day and instead focus on training.

Photo: MDD Zaatar, sponsored by the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL) trains with his Lebanese Mine Action Center (LMAC) handler.

08/20/2026

Peace Makers Problem Solvers (PMPS) students in Colombia have spent the summer turning ideas into action through social impact projects, with support from their counterparts at Poolesville High School in Maryland, U.S. Their initiatives range from creating a safe playground for younger children to raising environmental awareness and celebrating the rich biodiversity of their communities.

Join the initiative to support safe play spaces and youth-led change: https://www.marshall-legacy.org/fundraising-campaigns

08/18/2026

Peace Through Sport Round Six Applications are OPEN!

Interested in exploring how sports can foster peace and create positive change? Join our eight-week Peace Through Sport program, running September 21–November 13, 2026. Participants will take part in four facilitated virtual exchange sessions with youth in Yemen, using sport as a lens to explore leadership, communication, problem-solving, and peacebuilding.

Register here: https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/wldh6XxA

Questions? Email [email protected]

We can’t wait to see you there!

08/14/2026

Did you know that manufacturers design landmines with highly stable explosives and durable materials? They can remain active and lethal for 50 to 100 years. As a result, landmines continue to threaten lives and hinder community recovery, economic growth, and development in more than 60 countries.

Mine Detection Dogs must renew their certification annually to demonstrate that they continue to meet operational standards and maintain their detection skills.

Photo 1: K9 MDD Rico Cosby completes a demo with handler Vusal Allahverdiyev of the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) at the 2025 Clearing the Path Gala.

Photo 2: MDD Dex training with ANAMA

08/12/2026

Our thoughts are with the communities affected by the recent earthquake in Colombia.

In rural communities, resilience isn’t an abstract idea. It’s built every day by people working together to solve problems close to home.

Through MLI’s Peace Makers Problem Solvers program, young people in Antioquia are doing just that — identifying challenges in their communities and taking action. Students have completed community biodiversity projects and are currently building a safe playground for younger students. You can help support these student-led efforts, please donate today. Especially in difficult moments, this work matters. Stronger communities are built when young people have the skills and confidence to help shape their future.

Donate through the link in our bio.

Photo: PMPS students at La Cadena School in Carepa, Antioquia, Colombia.

08/07/2026

Thank you to MDDC for their excellent training- all of the new MDDs are going to have incredible impacts!

One more pat and it is time to put the training into action!

08/07/2026

Did you know that Mine Detection Dogs (MDDs) and Explosive Detection Dogs (EDDs) are some of the most highly trained animals in the world? The Global Training Academy in Somerset, Texas, and the Mine Detection Dog Center in Bosnia-Herzegovina train the Marshall Legacy Institute’s elite dogs.

Motivated by strong bonds with their handlers and play rewards—like a Kong toy—Mine Detection Dogs systematically sniff along a designated grid. Upon detecting a mine, the dog sits to alert its handler, who then safely removes the dog and praises and rewards them to keep the search engaging and effective.

Photo: An MDD waits patiently for his Kong.

08/06/2026

MLI Executive Director Elise Becker Burdette was honored to meet today with H.E. Jamila Ali Rajaa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Yemen to the United States, and Hadhramout Foundation CEO Shane Rose.

The meeting provided a meaningful opportunity to reflect on MLI's longstanding humanitarian engagement in Yemen, including support for landmine survivors and educational initiatives such as Peace Through Sport, which virtually connects U.S. students with their Yemeni peers. We are grateful to the Embassy of Yemen for hosting this thoughtful discussion and for its continued partnership.