Four Legged Soldiers – Military Working Dogs are Soldiers
Desert K-9′s was first started just to send toys and treats to the K9′s that were working with our troops, but after meeting a disabled veteran that actually worked as a veterinarian tech with the working dogs and learning about them, I decided that I could not just leave it at that.
I had worked with the Desert Angels Organization for about 2 years in supporting our military troops by sending care packages to the deployed soldiers and now it was time to include our 4 legged “SOLDIERS” too! After all the working dogs are not just dogs they are soldiers with 4 legs and they work hard save the lives of many of our men and women each and every day. The work they do is comparable to that of a human’s.
I have talked to so many people over the past couple of years since I started this organization and I have gotten the same reaction from many of them and that is: “The dogs? I never thought of the dogs as soldiers!” Well it’s time to make everyone aware that yes, military working dogs are indeed soldiers, they just happen to have 4 legs instead of 2 and we need to support them as well. The work they do is also very important and the government does not pay for all of the items they need. It is costly for their handler to have to pay out of his or her own pay. This is why I have started this organization to help raise money so that our men and women do not have to use their own money to purchase these items for their partner and best friend.
I had the honor of meeting the mother of a handler of a 4 legged soldier as I like to call them and I keep in touch with her by email. In April of 2011 they were both injured when an IED exploded, but thanks to our 4 legged soldier, their lives were saved. He was able to sniff out the IED and get out of the way instead of stepping directly on it. Thankfully they are both doing well and back serving our county again.
K9 soldiers need Items such as cooling vests which help to keep them cool in the desert heat, boots which protect their feet in the cold and also from getting cut in some of the debris that they may have to go through in rough terrain, and Doggles (goggles for dogs) which protect their eyes from the bright sun and blowing sand, snow, and flying debris. We also send other items such as toys, treats, beds, grooming supplies, some medical supplies, leashes, collars, and more.
Until recently we heard little of the work of military working dogs. That changed when a navy seal dog went in to help capture Bin Laden.
For more information on Desert K-9′s you can go to our website about Dogs as Soldiers, find us on Facebook or write to: sandie@thedesertangel.org. Please also see Dog About Town.
If you would like to help support Desert K-9′s, you may send a check or money order to: Desert K-9′s, P.O. Box 210455, Auburn Hill, MI, 48321. Desert K-9′s, is a division of Desert Angels, Inc., a 501(c)3 non- profit organization and donations are tax deductible. Receipts will be sent upon request with donation.
No tags for this post.February 13 2012 09:16 am | Dog Stories
