Defense security industries and the military working dog community have experienced a huge expansion in their missions since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The expansion is documented by increases in both end-strength raw numbers and in the number of emerging programs for assistance, therapy and law enforcement purposes. San Antonio is the home of Army Medicine and home to the 341st Training Squadron, which is also known as the Department of Defense Military Working Dog School. The 341st Training Squadron has more than 200 military (USAF, USA, USN & USMC) and civilian (USAF) personnel dedicated to the care and training of over 900 working dogs on-site, and to producing more than 400 canine (>270 MWD; >120 TSA) and over 600 human (>500 MWD Handlers; >150 Military Kennelmasters; >120 TSA Handlers) graduates per year. Military Working Dogs and Handlers are then assigned to units which can support contingency operations anywhere in the world. The Dogs and Handlers of the DoHS Transportation Security Administration's Explosives Detection Canine Training Program secure transportation nodes throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.  Although San Antonio is not the only location for military and civilian working dog programs, the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and civilian personnel of the 341stTraining Squadron, located on Lackland Air Force Base, produce a large portion of the working dog handlers and working dogs that protect our military installations, transportation systems and, most importantly, our personnel deployed worldwide.

The DODMWDVS is attached to the 341st Training Squadron in direct support of their missions to "provide trained (MWDs) used in patrol, drug and explosive detection, and specialized mission functions for the Department of Defense (DoD) and other government agencies; conduct operational training of MWD handlers and supervisors; and, sustain DoD MWD program through logistical support, veterinary care, and research and development for security efforts worldwide". The DODMWDVS also supports the TSA mission and vision to "deter and detect the introduction of explosive devices into the transportation system; provide premier explosives detection canine team capabilities nation-wide, through partnerships established with state and local law enforcement agencies; and, to provide technical assistance on a global basis". The LTC Daniel E. Holland MWD Hospital and the Medina MWD Clinic facilities allow 46 assigned military and civilian personnel to:  provide routine and specialized veterinary care to up to 1150 working dogs on-site; conduct basic and advanced veterinary medical training for Handlers, 68Ts and VCOs; and, provide global referral and consultation support to working dogs in the DOD and other Federal Agencies.