Dogs of War- Our Canine Soldiers

In the US it’s Veteran’s Day Weekend. In Canada, it’s Remembrance Day Weekend. Most of us have some tie that makes us reflect, if even for a moment.

We all know “working dogs” truly love a perfectly executed assignment if only to see a smile on their master. It’s rewarding for them.

We brought you a great video from Military.com about soldiers befriending dogs overseas. Now here’s a special look at the dogs who are working side by side, and actual members of our armed forces.

A U.S. Army soldier with the 10th Special Forces Group and his military working dog jump off the ramp of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a training exercise.

New York Times Best Selling Author Lisa Rogak has captured the excitement of working dogs in her new book The Dogs of War.   It’s an inside look into a very elite, working and special class of dogs.


These are “the Dogs of War”. What I find truly inspiring are the bonds between human and canine evident in these photos from Lisa’s new book.

Contrary to what some make think, these dogs are not being put in the line of fire before a human being. They are trained, loved and work in tandem with their human partners, super-ceding challenges we (humans) couldn’t do alone.

In harms way, yes. Loving their job, yes. Serving their respective countries, yes. Loving every minute, looks like it to me!

Military Working Dog Cindy shows off her cold-weather boots at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.
Senior Airman Steve Hanks and his partner Ada demonstrate the grace and brute strength that a military working dog possesses for a crowd at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
1st Sgt. Dean Bissey, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, helps Staff Sgt. Michael Hile and Ronnie get hitched for a training exercise.

I don’t see one soldier that wouldn’t jump in the line of fire for these four-legged soldiers any less than they would a fellow human comrade.   These are amazing animals.

 

Staff Sgt. Christa Quam holds a puppy about to enter the military working dog program at Lackland Air Force Base.

I have trouble getting my dog into my car without throwing up.  These dogs can’t wait to jump out of an airplane! It’s great to know how well they are treated, loved and bond with their military partners. Everyone should be as excited to go to work everyday.

Staff Sgt. Erick Martinez, a military dog handler at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, carries his canine partner Argo II.

 

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Chris LaLonde, his military working dog Sgt. Maj. Fosco and jumpmaster Kirby Rodriguez perform the military's first tandem airborne jump with a canine from an altitude of 12,500 feet.

 

Senior Airman Daren Marshall comforts his canine partner Zack, during an exam at an Air Force base in Southwest Asia.

 

Staff Sgt. Hartley and his 10-year-old German shepherd partner Cir strike a pose.

 

Staff Sgt. Alissa Jones and her canine partner Marco wait at the helicopter pad at Baghdad's Camp Liberty for a lift.

 

Uulricka, a Belgian Malinois puppy in the Military Working Dog program at Lackland, sits in foster mother Ester Nunez's lap.

 

Master Sgt. Eric Haynes has been working with Gina, a four-year-old German shepherd, for six months to help ease her post-traumatic stress disorder after her deployment in Southwest Asia.

 

From author Lisa Rogak:
The Dogs of War reveals the amazing range of jobs that our four-legged soldiers now perform, examines the dogs’ training and equipment, and sets the record straight on those rumors of titanium teeth.
You’ll find heartwarming stories of the deep bond that dogs and their handlers share with each other, and learn how soldiers and civilians can help the cause by fostering puppies or adopting retirees.”

Find the book on http://www.amazon.com/Dogs-War-Courage-Loyalty-Military/dp/1250009464/

or http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Dogs-of-War/Lisa-Rogak/e/9781250009463 And many other stores.

With so many stories of dogs being put to death because they’re strays or left to repercussions of a bad care-giver, I find it rejuvenating to know there are dogs helping special needs people, helping farmers with cattle, and even helping protect our nations.

And more, they get to wear the tech-iest gear to aid and protect them. Besides their handlers care, our government spends $20,000 to $30,000 for each dog’s armour and equipment.  (see this article from Fastcompany).

Similar Posts:

3 thoughts on “Dogs of War- Our Canine Soldiers”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *