A military dog and his handler were awarded the first Combat Canine award at the Exercise Tiger Foundations’ banquet Friday night.

The recipients, a six-year-old German Shepherd named Filo and his handler, Sgt. Alex Holloway, were awarded the organization’s first “Military Order of the Blue Tiger” to a premier military dog and his handler at its 13th annual awards banquet.

The pair has worked together for about six months at the world’s only B-2 bomber force on Missouri’s Whiteman Air Force Base.

Filo, Holloway and 12 others formed the National Adopt A Servicemen and Women class of 2011. The class, made up of men and women from every major branch of United States military services, received numerous awards including recognition from the Columbia Police Department, Gov. Jay Nixon, and Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.

The foundation did some research on combat dogs and decided to show appreciation for the animals’ efforts, Susan Haines, National Director of the Exercise Tiger Foundation, said.

“We feel it’s important that handlers of working dogs and the dogs themselves feel that there is a bonus for their accomplishments,” Haines said.

Filo is one of 10 highly-trained military dogs stationed at the 509th Security Forces Squadron kennel where they protect the B-2 bombers at the Whiteman Air Force Base, as well as the president, vice president and state department heads.

Filo performed more than 423 hours of foot patrols with Holloway at the air force base. Their commanding officer nominated them for their work together, which most recently included working with President Obama in Columbus, Ohio as he gave his American Jobs Act speech.

Sgt. Robert Van Hulle, the manager of the kennel, said Filo’s unique enthusiasm sets him apart from other dogs.

“Filo is passionate about what he does so when we want him to work or when he needs to go to work he does it to his fullest ability,” Van Hulle said.

Although all eyes were on Filo during the ceremony, Van Hulle said he believes Filo and Holloway both deserved the joint recognition they received for their accomplishments.

Holloway said he worked hard to create the special bond he and Filo share.

“Every single day you feed him, you take care of him so that he knows I have his back and he has mine,” Holloway said. “You have to earn a dog’s trust. You have to build up a confidence with him. They act differently if they don’t trust you.”

Holloway estimates three or four more years of work ahead for Filo.

But because the government owns military dogs, he knows they will not be paired together for the entire time. Holloway said he plans on working with other dogs in the future.

“Every time you lose a dog it’s a very sad day,” Holloway said. “It’s your partner, but you have to move on. I understand that, that’s my job. You have to mentally prepare yourself for the fact that you won’t have the same dog for your entire career.”

The foundation has plans to recognize a different military dog each year, Haines said.

“When someone has done something outstanding, it’s important for their comrades to recognize their contribution,” she said.