Working Military Dogs Help Keep Us Safe

My dog park friends were talking one day about the importance of working dogs in our society:  from therapy dogs, to police dogs, to military working dogs, they all have an important job to do.  Steve was telling us that in Virginia, on one of the military bases, is a huge veterinarian center that treats working dogs that have been injured in the line of duty.  Therapy dogs are used in hospitals, convalescent homes, and schools.  Barbara told us about her granddaughter's friend who teaches Special Education, and brings her black lab to class.  The children read to him, and his mere presence calms the kids.

So what do the dogs get for the loyalty and hard work they do?  In the military and police forces, they get A+ medical care and often a home with their handler upon retirement.  It's a win/win situation

The Defense Department's Military Working Dog Program is responsible for the health and welfare of over 2,300 dogs.  These dogs, mostly German and Dutch Shepherds and Belgian Malinois, are smart, aggressive, loyal and athletic.  They will defend their handler to the end.  The dogs support the war on terror, help safeguard military bases, detect bombs and other explosives.  They inflict fear in an aggressor often greater than a human with a gun.

Dogs have been used by the military since the Revolutionary War.  The biggest surge in the use of canines came during WW11, when there were 10,000 specially trained canines, mostly sentries, but some were scouts, messengers and mine detectors.  They are commonly used today to sniff out bombs, drugs or explosives.  Their noses can smell things 5-10 times more sensitive than a human nose.  They work for the pleasure of pleasing their handler, and are rewarded with love and affection, good medical care, and a forever home when they retire.