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…
Marine Megan Leavey will finally be able to bring home Sgt. Rex, the military working dog she served with in Iraq, according to Sen. Chuck Schumer. Read More:
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The bond between a man and his dog is one that cannot be matched. This tie was shown for three of Camp Pendleton’s military working dog handlers when their trust and connection was put to the test. On Feb. 19, Cpl. Jonathan T. Overland, Cpl. Angelo Melendez III and Cpl. Sky…
For a pair of pooch-loving lawmakers, no dog should be left behind. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) are pushing legislation to better ensure that a soldier’s best friend — the military working dog — is provided a good home and veterinary care in retirement. “These dogs are friends, compatriots, comrades in…
An upstate New York Marine is on a mission to save the dog that served alongside her in Iraq. Marine Corporal Megan Leavey of Rockland County, NY, is desperately trying to adopt Sergeant Rex, a German Shepherd military working dog. When Leavey served two tours in Iraq, the two were a team tasked with identifying…