On a cool, clear day at Washington D.C.’s Navy Memorial Plaza, veterans, supporters, and navy working canine handlers from all branches of service gathered to pay tribute to a few of America’s most unsung heroes. Canines have been very important navy service members since World Battle II however hardly ever obtain the popularity they deserve.
The United States Battle Canine Affiliation (USWDA) is dedicated to altering that. This 12 months, they held the first-ever K9 Veterans Day celebration to honor the talents, service, and sacrifice of navy Okay-9s in addition to their handlers, trainers, assist workers, and households.
K9 Veterans Day
After a wonderful rendition of The Nationwide Anthem by United States Secret Service Okay-9 Handler Beth Hartman and a heartfelt blessing from retired Sergeant Al Brenner of america Marine Corps, USWDA president Chris Willingham took the rostrum. Willingham is a retired Marine Corps Grasp Sergeant who devoted the vast majority of his 20-year profession to the Army Working Canine (MWD) Program.
“K9 Veterans Day is right here to have fun the start of the K9 Corps, which was March 13, 1942,” Willingham started. “It began with ‘Canines for Protection,’ who would prepare and procure the canine for navy service. From that time on, they (navy K9s) have confirmed to be a power multiplier in each climb and place. Whether or not it’s the island-hopping campaigns of World Battle II, the frozen tundras of Korea, the jungles of Vietnam, or the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, if there are troops on the bottom, the K9 has a mission.”
Throughout his speech, Willingham praised the unimaginable adaptability of navy working canine. The 5 canine handlers who established USWDA served in Vietnam. Throughout that battle, K9s have been primarily used for scouting missions, sentry responsibility, mine and tunnel detection, and water patrols. Whereas Willingham served within the Center East, canine of struggle grew to become important for sniffing out improvised explosive units (IEDs) that may in any other case take out whole squads.
The US navy developed a process power generally known as the Joint IED Defeat Group to sort out this risk. Nonetheless, as Willingham proudly identified, regardless of “six years and $19 billion, they might not beat the capabilities of a well-trained canine workforce.”
Equally helpful to the life-saving companies they supply, K9s provide unconditional love and loyalty. The bond shaped from one finish of the leash to the opposite lasts nicely past the times of struggle.
MWDs Are A lot Extra Than Simply “Gear”
Army working canine are service members and obtain a rank identical to their handlers, however they don’t seem to be acknowledged as troopers by the Protection Division. As a substitute, they’re thought-about tools, identical to weapons or tanks. Earlier than the passage of Robby’s Legislation in 2000, MWDs have been typically euthanized or left behind on the battlefield.
Now, canine “appropriate for adoption” should be made out there for placement after their service. Whereas 90% of retired MWDs discover ceaselessly houses with their handlers, challenges nonetheless come up. It may be troublesome and costly to move canine residence from abroad, and canine veterans face most of the similar bodily and emotional casualties of struggle, together with arthritis and PTSD.
And not using a pension or medical insurance coverage, these prices fall to the handler or adopter. That is why USWDA’s mission is so vital.
The US Battle Canines Affiliation Helps Army Working Canines & Their Handlers
USWDA works to make sure that no canine is left behind. Whether or not offering important tools and care packages to canine groups abroad or transporting veteran struggle canine again to the U.S. after their service, they see that navy K9s get the therapy, respect, and recognition they’ve so valiantly earned.
Assist USWDA Make a Distinction within the Lives of Retired MWDs
Retired working canine affected by sicknesses and the consequences of previous accidents are eligible for a free prescription drug program and obtain assist with their veterinary payments. They’re honored for his or her service with awards, such because the PDSA Dickin Medal, which was offered to US Marine Corps Particular Operations Command Canine Bass on the D.C. ceremony. And they’re given one ultimate salute because of USWDA’s Rainbow Bridge Help Program.
USWDA additionally ensures that retired working canine discover loving houses through which to spend their retirement, whether or not it’s with their navy handlers or new adoptive households.
“America’s navy working canine give their finest years to make sure our freedom, US Battle Canines is right here to provide these heroic Okay-9s the liberty to take pleasure in their well-deserved retirement.” – USWarDogs.com
How We Can Assist
Because of purchases made by iHeartDogs and Hero Firm clients, we have been in a position to make a $2,500 donation to the US Battle Canines Affiliation to assist them proceed their mission. Just like the Hero Firm, USWDA additionally helps fund service canine for Veterans with disabling medical circumstances.
You, too, can assist USWDA as they proceed to assist navy working canine all through their lifetime and through their well-earned retirement.
