Tomorrow is Canine Veteran’s Day. And, here at Canine Companions & Dog Behavior Blog, would like to share some information about our canine veterans here. Please take a seat, and read/listen to the article.
You might even find your soulmate dog after reading this.
You’re going to want to grab your tissues before reading and watching.
What Do Dogs Do at War?
In war, our dogs are the first line. They are first to go into a dangerous territory. And, they let their handler know if it’s okay to continue walking, or to stop in their tracks.
Watch this documentary to follow dogs and their handlers through the tears, blood, and sweat during war in Afghanistan:
Robby’s Law: Saving Lives, Encouraging Adoptions
Before Robby’s Law was enacted in 2000, dogs who came back from war were euthanized. Now, handlers have the option of adopting their dog once they come back to the states. And, if their handler isn’t able to care for them… they are able to be placed for adoption.
Over 90% of canine veterans are adopted by their handlers at the end of their service. And, it’s not hard to understand why. Watch the videos below to see the strength of their love for one another.
To Show You How Special the Bond Handlers & Their Dogs Share
Army dog races into the arms of his handler three years later:
Veteran reunited with bomb-sniffing dog:
Military hero dog reunited with handler:
Adopting a Military Working Dog
Most of the MWD’s available for adoption are puppies, or relatively young dogs, who didn’t make it through the training (only about half graduate training).
There are occasionally older dogs who have been at war, though. They may have medically retired due to an injury, or retired due to their age.
It’s important to note that those dogs who have been to war often have PTSD- similar to our human soldiers.
Only recently have we learned that dogs can suffer from this condition following war times. These dogs have been exposed to everything we were- and potentially more- including gunshots, explosions, and other loud and/or violent experiences.
Symptoms of PTSD in dogs include:
- Fear of noise
- Fear of new situations
- Avoidance or fear of buildings
- Flashbacks
Organizations to Contact About Adopting a Military Working Dog
You can contact the following organizations if you’re interested in adopting a military working dog:
United States War Dogs Association
Take Other Action to Help This Canine Veteran’s Day
There’s a petition going around to help canine veterans here.
- The petition changes the wording from “adoption” to “foster” in case a dog is placed into a police force after retirement.
- The military handler becomes attached to the dog throughout his or her entire life; their name is on all paperwork, so they’re able to be with their dog forever if they would like to be.
- And, if they aren’t with their dog, they are able to find out how they’re doing and where they are any time.
- The petition also requests handlers be permitted to retire their dog if they don’t believe their dog is able to handle ‘the job’ any longer.
- And finally, only the handler is able to agree and sign off on an adoption.