Four Years Later: MDD Rico Cosby's Lasting Legacy as MLI’s K9 Ambassador

Today, July 8, 2026, is the four-year anniversary of MDD Rico Cosby’s debut as the Marshall Legacy Institute’s K9 Ambassador. This marked the beginning of a new chapter for the four-legged hero as an advocate and educator on landmine detection and removal after turning the page on his career abroad. His first official visit as MLI's Canine Ambassador was at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C. MDD Rico joined the MLI team for the VII Foundation's "Imagine: Reflections on Peace" exhibit.

MDD Rico worked for six years as a landmine detection dog in Bosnia and Herzegovina, "sniffing out" landmines and helping to restore safe land back to the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Rico and his handler contributed to the clearance of 600,000 square meters of land during his career in Bosnia and Herzegovina before Rico retired from mine detection work with FACP (Federal Administration of Civil Protection) in 2022. He was honored in Bosnia and Herzegovina before traveling more than 24 hours to reach the United States to start his new job. Rico lives with MLI Educational Programs Director, Anne Wooleyhand, and her family in Delaware. Together, Anne and Rico regularly visit schools and give presentations on landmine and the important work of Mine Detection Dogs. Through educational engagement, Rico collaborates with schools as part of CHAMPS (Children Against Mines Program).

As MLI’s K9 Ambassador, MDD Rico has engaged 15,423 people (including 10,725 school children), raising awareness of the humanitarian impact of landmines and demonstrating the heroic work of Mine Detection Dogs. Through Rico's visits, participants have learned about the history and geography of landmines, how puppies become life-saving heroes, the humanitarian impact of landmines, survivors, and the countries impacted by landmines. Anne and Rico have provided 120 demonstrations to 144 schools, Boy and Girl scout groups, American Legions, Rotary Clubs, and organizations serving older adults in 10 different states. Rico has also participated in demining caucuses on Capitol Hill and met with Ambassadors from Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. 

In addition to his remarkable work as an educator, MDD Rico has gone on incredible journeys and accomplished great things while in the states. In October 2025, Rico was invited to participate in the commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords which ended the war in Bosnia. The Rico’s Reach campaign, launched in honor of the 20th Anniversary of the CHAMPS program, successfully concluded in October 2025, raising $25,000 to sponsor MDD CHAMP.  MDD CHAMP, in training now, will certainly have some big paw prints to fill.

At almost 12 years old, MDD Rico continues to raise awareness through presentations and live sniffing demonstrations. He is a remarkable dog who has accomplished more than many people do in his lifetime. Rico enjoys his life in Delaware with long walks, playing fetch, and eating special snacks like bacon. He is a sweet dog who loves to sniff and stay active.

If you are interested in scheduling a virtual or in-person presentation, or sponsoring a Mine Detection Dog (like Rico), please contact Anne Wooleyhand at anne@marshall-legacy.org. 

Read Rico's story and help support the Marshall Legacy Institute with the purchase of your copy of Rico's book: Rico-Cosby: The Historic Work of a Mine Detection Dog