Happy National K9 Veteran’s Day

March 13th is National K9 Veteran’s Day. On March 13, 1942 The United States Army began The War Dog Program. The Military started using dogs for message delivery and scouting patrol. As the years passed the military began to train the dogs for search and rescue, detect explosives, and even protect and attack as needed. There are approximately 2700 current military K9’s in The United States. The most common breeds used are German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Dutch Shepherds. The military has even used dogs with these breeds mixed together. Most military K9’s retire by the age 10-12 years old unless they become injured duing their service.

The United States started using military dogs consisently during World War II, although documents have shown dogs in wars as far back as The Revoluntionary War. On June 1, 2015 President Obama signed The Military Working Dog Retirement Act of 2015. This requires the government to transport the dog back to the states. Furthermore, this no longer makes a military K9 “equipment”. This bill allows their handler to have the first opportunity to adopt them to live out their years with them.

Lucca was half German Shepherd and half Belgian Malinois military dog. She went to Iraq during her military career. She protected the U.S. Marines on 400 patrols over a 6 year period. Not One Marine was ever injured on her watch. In March 2012 sadly she lost her front leg as a result from IED explosion. In 2016, she was awarded The PDSA Dickin Medal , Sadly, she crossed The Rainbow Bridge on January 20, 2018 at the age of 14 years.

Chips was a WWII Military K9. He was a German Shepherd and Collie mixed Breed. He was the most decorated military K9 in World War II. He protected and fought off countless enemy soliders. He was donated by his family to serve in the war. He spent 3 years overseas with the 3rd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. He was discharged back to his family in December 1945. Sadly, he passsed less than a year later in 1946. He was awarded The Purple Heart, Silver Star, and The Distinguished Service Cross. Later after his passing in 2018 he was awarded The PDSA Dickin Medal and in 2019 The Animals in War and Peace Medal of Bravery.

We need to remember not only humans protect and serve in the military but the dogs who who keep them and us safe too. This is just two stories of military K9’s. There are so many more stories to be told. Please take a moment to remember their sacrifice on March 13th.

Have a Barktastic week. Remember to give your furry family members lots of attention you are their entire world. ~Charley