K9 veterans-day

NATIONAL K9 VETERANS DAY

Animals have always been an integral part of battalions in the past around the world. But unfortunately, they have also been the ones who used to get affected because if an animal used to get injured he/she was left alone to die or live the rest of his/her life suffering and ultimately die. This seemed very disturbing because animals had to sacrifice their lives to fulfill the ambitious desires of humans, they didn’t go to war with anyone, humans did.

Fortunately, with the change of time and evolution of technologies animals participation in the battles was reduced not because humans started caring about animals but because they started inventing more efficient and destructive weapons & war machineries like the tanks, missiles, and machine guns. But there is one animal that is still an integral part of the US Army because of its smartness, outstanding smell sensing abilities, loyalty and ability to catch evidence quickly. Yes, you guessed it right, that animal is the Man’s best friend, Dog.

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Retired army dogs are called K9 veterans and to honor them and remember their contributions to the country National K9 Veterans day is celebrated on 13th March every year.

What is the National K9 Veterans Day? To commemorate the contribution of K9s veterans that have served our country’s army and protected and fought for the Nation and sacrificed their blood and sweat, National K9 Veterans Day was created by the MWD trainer Late Joseph White, In 2009, the date was decided as 13th march because it was the date when the very first K9 CORPS came into existence in.

When It All Started Officially: Incorporation of First-Ever K9 Corps Well, many things changed after The PEARL HARBOR bombing in 1941. It won't be wrong to say that the whole world changed after that tragic incident. Agonized with the surprise bombings, the US also made many changes in its defense tactics, one of which was the official incorporation of dogs in the US Army.

Dogs were already a part of army earlier but the official insertion of K9 corps was on 13th March 1942. On that day the Quartermaster Corps of the US Army began training the normal dogs to convert them to an MWD (Military Working Dogs) and work in the newly established, US Army K9 Corps.

Close to 10000 dogs were trained under “Dogs for Defense” program from 1942 to till the end of World War –II by the US Army with the help of Mrs. Alene Erlanger and American Kennel Club, the founders of the Dogs for Defense program. the first batch of fully trained K9 corps was sent on duty to North Africa. In November 1942.

Afterward, the Service Installation Divisions took over the training of the dogs because Dogs for Defense couldn’t meet the requirements.

Serve Them Who Served Us Just as you love and show your respect for our 2 legged veterans, its time to show some love and respect to our 4 legged veterans and currently military working dogs. Below are some suggestions that you can implement to celebrate K9 Veterans Day. I.

K9 Veteran Are Waiting To Get Adopted

According to the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, the K9 veterans that are retired from their services because of the age or any illness or injury can be adopted by the normal citizens only if the handler is lost in a battle or for any reason he/she is not able to adopt them. Also, in case of the demise of the handler in the war his/, her family will be given the first preference to adopt the K9 Veteran. Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas is the headquarters for the returning MWDs. The Air Force Base also serves as a training center for the new admissions.

90% of the brave MWDs that come back are taken home by their handlers. The good thing is that there is always a long waiting list to adopt these warriors but what you can do this K9 Veterans day is that you can enroll yourself in the list and wait for your turn to serve the ones who serve our nation. MWDs are proficient and rigorously trained dogs so that reduces your work of training them. They can be very helpful in safeguarding your house from unwanted guests.

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II.

Spread Awareness About The Achievements Of K9 Veterans

Spread awareness about the K9 Veterans because there are many people who don’t have any idea of the struggles that these Brave souls have to go through. if you are not able to go out, forwarding messages on texting apps, posting on Facebook, Instagram and other social media handles will intimate a lot of people about these MWDs. Become a member of a nonprofit organization who works for the betterment of K9 Veterans and also urges the people in your surroundings to do so.

Here is an interesting bit of information that you can spread and help these valiant soldiers get muchdeserved recognition. ➢ Four valorous military dogs named Jag, Taba, Taker, and Summer were recognized with the nation’s highest honor for canine service “American Humane Lois Pope K-9 Medal of Courage” to our country in an elite ceremony comprising of top military leaders and members of Congress at Capitol Hill on 22nd May 2018.

Mrs. Pope who was very proud of the achievements of these dogs said, “These remarkable dogs have given us their best. They have put their own lives on the line to protect us, to defend us, and to save us,” Just swipe to see the pictures of Jab, Taker, Taba, and Summer and their handlers. ➢ In the image, all four brave dogs (from left) Dennis Dow with Jag, Marine veteran Kevin Zuniga with Taker, Air Force veteran Micah Jones with Summer and Taba, is adopted by a former K-9 police dog handler.

➢

A 12-year-old Labrador retriever, Taker was with the Marine Corps in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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➢ Jag(on the right side), served the army for 7 years. He is a 12-year-old Labrador retriever.

➢ Army Sgt Denis dow with Sgt jag on deployment

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➢ Was deployed in Afghanistan, Summer, a 7-year-old Labrador retriever is currently a member of a TSA K-9 team for the Amtrak Police Department in Washington, D.C.

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➢ Taba,

III.

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Special

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9-year-old

Dutch

Shepherd

Send Your Love By Sending Care Packages To The Overseas K9s Soldiers

Send free pet health care supplies to the K9 veterans that are living in the military camps and police K9s.

You can also send care packages to MWDs with the help of Non-Profitable Organizations like Operation K-9 Care Package and The United States War Dog Association, Inc. • • • • • • • • • • • •

The care packages that can includeHealthcare treatments like Joint supplements, De-Wormers, flea and tick treatments, and Heartworm Preventives.

Dog Toothbrush and Toothpaste like pet dent toothbrush and toothpaste Collapsible dog water bottles Dog food K-9 nail clipper Brushes, and combs Cooling Vests Tasty treats for dogs Dog shampoos Doggles Toys that improve physical and mental strength Cooling Mats

Contact these Non-profitable organizations before you send any care packages to them.

So, This National K9 Veterans Day please spread the information amongst people, let them know that there are dogs who not only protect our house but also protect our nation.

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