Sergeant Kyle Smith, from North Carolina, bid an emotional farewell to four-legged companion Bodza after the German Shepherd was put down. Here Kyle is giving his partner a tender hug as his body was draped in the US flag.
K9 Veterans Day is celebrated on March 13th, which is the date that the US Army K9 Corps was founded in 1942; a day to honor and commemorate the service and sacrifices of American military, police, and rescue dogs, Border Patrol K9s, Customs K9s, Secret Service K9s, Airport Service K9s and FBI K9s, who daily work to save and protect Americans and our country.
It’s a chance for us to celebrate the four-legged heroes that help serve our armed forces and keep our troops safe, as well as remember all working dogs.
History
During the First World War, the United States took notice of the European use of canines as sentries, message carriers, and several other functions.
So needed were military dogs that American families donated their dogs to aid our troops during the war. Canines weren’t officially adopted into U.S. military ranks, though, until 1942 with the Army’s Dogs for Defense program. This program trained 10,000 dogs in World War II and during the Vietnam War, scout dogs saved over 2,000 lives.
Dogs for Defense was a program initiated by a private citizen, Mrs. Alene Erlanger. Along with the American Kennel Club and a handful of breeders, the group aimed to train the dogs for military use. Joseph White, of Jacksonville, Florida, a Vietnam War veteran, K9 handler and trainer is credited with originating the idea for the day to honor our K9 Veterans. White died on October 24, 2009 and since then his wife has continued the effort to get nationwide recognition for this holiday. New Jersey officially recognized the holiday in 2010.
By November of 1942, the first Dogs for Defense were prepared for duty in North Africa. While at first they were gun shy, they proved to be well trained.
As the war progressed, Dogs for Defense was unable to keep up with the demand and the Remount Branch, Service Installations Divisions took over training of the dogs.
Over the years the military, police and rescue have developed a variety of training methods for K9 units. Their training is tailored to meet the demands of the job and each animal and handler carries out his or her duties to the fullest.
K9 handlers in the military can tell you how dedicated these dogs are to doing their jobs and protecting the members of their teams. They should be honored alongside our human troops, and K9 Veterans Day is an opportunity for us all to remember and reflect on the invaluable contributions these dogs make.
The U.S. military used military dogs in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Today all branches of the United States Armed Forces use military K9s and to date, upwards of 3,000 specialty trained canines are stationed around the world. They guard and protect our service personnel by patrolling air bases, military compounds, ammunition depots, and military check points, as well as leading patrols and clearing minefields with unparalleled courage and loyalty.
At the onset of the Military Working Dog program (Dogs for Defense), the military sought a rather lengthy list of dog breeds for their companions. Now the military limits their choice to three breeds.
Once chosen and screened, each Military War Dog is then given a specialty based on their specific abilities and strengths.
Today
Today, the 341st Training Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas is responsible for training and assigning all dogs in the Military War Dog program. The 341st then ships them to military installations worldwide following their training. The training base consists of 62 training areas over 3,350 acres and holds 691 kennel spaces with an average population of over 400 dogs.
The K9s are exposed to simulated war scenes, subjected to rifle fire, machine gun fire, live fire, and explosions in order to test their bravery before assignment. Additionally, each dog must successfully navigate underground tunnels, climb ladders, and scale walls fearlessly.
Military dogs have always been a part of American military efforts. They continue to serve on the borders on land and sea every day. The dogs are trained to provide numerous functions, including search, rescue, explosives detection, scout, patrol and enemy subdue.
When military working dogs retire, they’re often put up for adoption. Because of their training, they usually require a special family who understands and can accommodate their background and needs. If you’re interested in providing a home to one of our canine veterans, visit Saveavet.org for more information.
Search and Rescue and Therapy Dogs Also Honored
Search and Rescue dog teams worked tirelessly at Ground Zero, and at the Pentagon. Private bomb dog and security dog teams are in Iraq and Afghanistan, and other sites as needed; and they are very much needed, and sincerely appreciated by our troops. And private Therapy dogs are in the hospitals both here and abroad, helping to heal our service men and women. Service dogs are now assisting those who are handicapped by the war, enabling them to have more meaningful lives. And may we never forget as well the service of those privately handled dogs who search for the remains that are so important to their families. And of course many of our troops will readily tell you of how an unofficial war dog, a mascot, helped in keeping one’s spirits high as they served their country.
Military Working Dog Nero saved over 3000 soldiers while stationed in Iraq during Operation Iraq Freedom. Nero passed away from cancer in June 2013 after earning a much earned and spoiled retirement with Saveavet. May you rest in peace and never run short of squirrels.
K9 Veterans Day – How Can We Help?
Often aptly referred to as “force multipliers,” Military War Dogs are so much more than a simple asset or tool. They are compatriots, loyal partners, and steadfast warriors that will at any moment fearlessly lay their lives down in the name of protection.
Each fantastic feat they accomplish is not done out of force or fear; it is born 100% out of love. Take some time today on their well-deserved K9 Veterans Day to honor their service. Thank a soldier and tonight, hold your own furry companions just a little tighter.
And though it is an honor to finally have a specific day set aside for our military K9s, our four-legged heroes deserve more appreciation than one single day. If you would like to do more, please follow this link to help K9 Veterans.
How To Observe
Use #NationalK9VeteransDay to post on social media.
Sources:
Daily Signal http://dailysignal.com/2014/08/23/four-legs-life-service-fight-allow-military-working-dogs-retire-u-s-soil/
Military https://www.military.com/veterans-day/k9-veterans-day.html
Dog Time http://dogtime.com/holiday/63009-5-k9-military-dogs-deserve-honored-k9-veterans-day
Animal Welfare Issues http://www.animalwelfareissues.com/event/k-9-veterans-day/
Kristen Levine http://kristenlevine.com/k9-veterans-day/
Any Day Guide https://anydayguide.com/calendar/448
Southern Conference http://vfwsouthernconference.org/2016/03/08/k9-veterans-day-honoring-military-working-dogs/
K9 Veterans’ Day on Face Book https://www.facebook.com/NationalK9VeteransDay
