FT. BLISS, Texas & WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) – “I lost who I was. I lost all feeling. I lost the ability to love,” says Pfc. Brandy Dagle, fighting back tears. Dagle, stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas was so depressed she says she was near suicide. The PTSD she developed while serving in Afghanistan was too…
In spring 2010, the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, which has officially employed canines since 1942, established the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, a new unit that consists of “284 soldiers and officers and about 200 military working dogs.” These teams have supported operations in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Kosovo, and Northern Ireland, according to the British…
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Of the 4,000 military service dogs who went overseas during the Vietnam war, only 273 returned. And Farmington Hills resident Ken Reynolds wants to see that they – and all other service dogs – get the recognition they deserve. Reynolds still remembers spotting a photo of the War Dog Memorial located in South Lyon Township, published…
Ron Aiello was a 21-year-old corporal in 1966 when he and his scout dog, Stormy, went on their first mission together in Vietnam. Walking ahead of a Marine platoon, they secured one village and had just entered a clearing near another when the female German shepherd froze on the trail, her ears straight up. As…
There are so many great hero dogs nominated for this years @American Humane Association @Hero Dog Awards!! It’s almost too hard to pick just one, but we’re sure you’ll have a favorite. Click now to view our contestants and VOTE for your favorite!! You can vote once a day, so be sure to vote often…
On January 30, the Army Medical Command at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, issued a memorandum to provide guidance on the use of service animals, animal assisted therapies, and animal assisted activities in healthcare settings. The memo applies to “all medical treatment facilities (MTF) using animals in healthcare setting (Service Dog programs, Animal Assisted Therapies (AAT)…
A memorial service in southwest Ohio honored an Air Force dog that died earlier this month after a military career, which included serving in the Iraq War and helping federal authorities with more than 500 arrests. The service with military honors was held for Nisan (NEE’-sun) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where the 10-year-old German…
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Col. Otto Feather retired Friday with another old dog from the Air Force — a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois named Elra. Decommissioned as a military working dog last year, Elra recently was adopted by the outgoing 374th Airlift Wing commander. “She just seemed like an old pal from way back,” said…
Capitol Hill lawmakers are trying to help military service dogs finished with active duty by giving them full health benefits and streamlining their adoption process. But advocacy groups say the legislation should go further by giving the animals a return flight to U.S. soil, just like the soldiers they joined in combat. The Canine Members…