Bravery Afar, Heroes at Home: Honoring Canine Veterans
They stand guard, discover bombs, rappel from helicopters, and watch for intruders. They parachute into battle, search for victims, and save countless lives. These remarkable soldiers also have four legs, sharp teeth, and a superhuman sense of smell and hearing. In case you haven’t guessed already, we’re talking about military working dogs (MWDs).
In honor of Veterans Day, we’d like to take this opportunity to shine a light on the invaluable services of canine veterans throughout our country’s history.
The Incredible Military Working Dog
There are currently about 2,500 active military working dogs, roughly 600 of which are deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Military working dogs tend to be German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, or Labrador Retrievers, thanks to their superior intelligence, dedication, and durability.
Their keen sense of smell and hearing, combined with a dedication and determination rarely found in most humans, dogs make the perfect partners during times of war. Trained to guard, detect, or protect, the canine/handler relationship is special, and extremely effective.
Canine Veterans in History
Although every canine veteran is amazing, some stand out in history, including:
- Sgt. Stubby – This WWI hero is one of the most decorated dogs in U.S. history. This heroic pit bull took part in 17 missions, including saving his troops from a mustard gas attack and discovering a German spy.
- Chips – A German Shepherd mix, Chips was one of the first military dogs deployed overseas and fought alongside U.S. soldiers in Germany, France, North Africa, and Sicily in WWII. He attacked an enemy machine gun nest and helped to force the surrender of 10 soldiers.
- Rip – Found on the streets of London after a bombing raid, this terrier mix became the mascot of the Southill Street Air Raid Patrol. He was so adept at searching out victims trapped underneath the rubble that he became the inspiration for the training of search and rescue dogs near the end of WWII.
- Rifleman Khan – After their ship was capsized by enemy fire during WWII, this brave German Shepherd swam to shore, only to realize that his handler, who couldn’t swim, wasn’t with him. Khan swam over 200 yards in the dark, under heavy enemy fire, to drag his handler back to shore.
Modern Hero
Perhaps the most famous modern MWD is Cairo, a Belgian Malinois who worked alongside 80 Navy Seals to take town Osama Bin Laden in 2011. Cairo has since retired and lives a quiet life with his handler.
Pay It Forward
The exemplary dogs we’ve highlighted here are only a fraction of the distinguished legion of canine heroes who’ve served our country with dedication and honor. You can support efforts to improve the lives of canine veterans by volunteering your time or resources with the
Warrior Dog Foundation or American Humane.
Your team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital is dedicated to all of our patients, and we look forward to seeing you and your four-legged friend soon. Don’t hesitate to give us a call with your questions or concerns, or to make an appointment for your pet.