During my research for my now bi-weekly articles I come across the most interesting information that I am able to share with you all, and this week I have found the best of the best. I came across a cause on facebook that stated that military war dogs are euthanized at the age of 7 to 8 years of age, and the cause was in support of stopping the euthanization just as the dogs were at the age of retirement. I take nothing at face value so I started to research war dogs and I came across The United States War Dogs Association, Inc., a nonprofit organization of former and current US Military dog handlers and supporting members committed to promoting the long history of the Military Service Dogs, establishing permanent War Dog Memorials, and educating the public about the invaluable service of these canines to our country. Their website, http://www.uswardogs.org, is an interesting read and I highly recommend taking the time to check it out because anyone that loves animals will benefit from learning about the service these animals have given in saving the lives of our service men and women in the Viet Nam war, the Iraq war and now in Afghanistan.
A Brief History: Vietnam.
Military Working Dogs have been used by the U.S. Military since WW I.
The dogs were originally enlisted by the Quartermaster Corps, and a diversity of breeds where accepted
Once knowledge and experience was gained the dogs of choice became the German Shepherd Dog and the Doberman. Due to the nature of work to be accomplished the Labrador eventually replaced the Doberman.
The German Shepherd remained the most frequently used dog. These dogs are commonly referred to as War Dogs; however, the correct term is Military Working Dogs. They have saved countless lives and casualties since the
beginning of their Military Service and they continue to do so today.
Dogs of Vietnam/Brief History:
There is a confirmed list of 3,747 dogs that were used in Vietnam identified by Dr. Howard Hayes, Veterinarian (RET) of the National Institute of Health as of March 1994, by “brand number” (a tattoo usually placed
in the left ear of the dog). However, it is estimated that approximately 4,900 dogs where used during the course of the war between 1964 and 1975. Records of the dogs in Vietnam where not maintained by the military prior to
1968, thus the discrepancy.
How Many Dogs Returned Home?
Only 204 dogs exited Vietnam during the 10-year period. Some remained in the Pacific, and some returned to the United States. None returned to civilian life. So what happened to the dogs that remained? Most where
euthanized and the others were turned over to the ARVN (South Vietnamese Army).
How Many Handlers Served in Vietnam and what Branch of Service? All four branches of the military used dogs in Vietnam. Approximately 10,000 handlers served. Vietnam was the largest concentrated effort of the use of dogs and handlers in any Combat Era the United States has ever undertaken. It is estimated that the dogs and handlers saved over 10,000 lives.
The following is a breakdown of handlers by Military Branch that served in Vietnam. 65%Army 26%Air Force 7%Marine 2%Navy.
What Mission (duties) did the Dogs and Handlers Have in Vietnam?
Scout Dogs
A Scout Dog Team consisted of one German Shepherd and the handler. When requested the Scout Dog Team joined an infantry unit and served as their “eyes and ears”. The Scout Dog Team walked “point” (out front) for the
unit, looking for booby trap trip wires, ambushes, hidden caches of food or weapons, snipers etc. When the dog alerted, the handler passed the information to the patrol leader who then moved his troops forward.
Scout dogs and handlers where trained at Ft. Benning, Ga. Some Scout Dog handlers were trained “In-Country” (OJT) or were originally trained as Tracker handlers.)
Combat Tracker Teams (CTT:
The Tracker Team consisted of a Labrador Retriever (Sometimes Shepherds) and handler, a cover man, a Visual Tracker and a Team Leader. Trackers were called to duty when the unit wished to re-establish contact with the
enemy. Tracker teams acted much like the old Indian Scouts (except for the use of the dogs). They were called upon to “track” either visually or by using a Labrador Retriever to follow ground (blood trails, body odor etc.) or
airborne scent in order to locate missing personnel, i.e., downed pilots, wounded GI’s, or the enemy. The Majority of Combat Trackers and Tracker Dogs were trained in Malaysia at the British Jungle Warfare School (JWS) or
at Ft. Gordon, Ga. in the U.S.
Sentry Dog Teams:
Sentry Dog Teams were universal within every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam to include the Air Force in Thailand; and were normally an arm of Military Police Units (All Branches had police units-they just call
them different names). Sentry Dog Teams, “walked the wire” on the outskirts of a location and their primary form of communication was via radio after the dog alerted. Back up to the team was a tower or bunker guard, a quick response team, or getting illumination (flares). Sentry Dog Teams (K9] were comprised of one German Shepherd and one handler and generally worked at night (about 99%). Their mission was to “Detect, Detain, and Destroy.
Sentry Dog Teams were the first line of defense on the perimeter of not only Bases in Vietnam but also ammo depots, supply areas, communications areas, > naval installations, camps, flight lines, and other sensitive areas.
The majority of Sentry Dog handlers and Sentry Dogs were trained at Lackland Air Force Base, TX.
[All branches), however, some were trained in Showa (Tachikawa), Japan, and many handlers were trained "In-Country- (OJT)
Mine/Booby/Tunnel Dog Teams:
The Team was one German Shepherd and a handler in support of infantry and combat engineer operations (Army and Marines). The mission was to detect mines, booby-traps, trip wires, tunnel compiles and any other casualty
producing devices. They also assisted in searching villages or suspected areas of enemy built up supplies, weapons and ammunition.
Up until recently we haven’t been very good at supporting our four legged warriors, and I hope that is changing now since the military has started to understand that they are a viable part of the military presence and not only perform a valuable service but the emotional impact they have on the soldiers they serve with is something that is only recently being recognized. Our four legged soldiers have needs we can donate to just as their two legged counterparts do, and anyone that would like to donate to the cause there is a list of items that are in high demand:
K9 Cooling Vests
K9 Cooling Mats
K9 Cooling Collar
K9 Boots
K9 Doggles
Coillapsible Nylong dog bowls
Kong 3” rubber ball
Large Rope Chews
K9 Shampoo and Conditioner
K9 Grooming tools, combs, brushes, etc.
Dog beds or pillows
K9 toothpaste & brush
K9 eyedrops
K9 ear wash
K9 Advantix Flea and Tick treatment
K9 salves for paws/noses
Towels to wipe paws
Dog biscuits (1 lb boxes)
K9 Jerky (beef, etc)
If you can help with any of these items, you can find the contact information on the War Dogs website at this link:
http://www.uswardogs.org/id40.html
And last but not least, there is a link to an application for you to apply to adopt one of these true American Heroes:
http://www.uswardogs.org/PDF/MILITARY%20WORKING%20DOG%20ADOPTION%20APPLICATION%202011.pdf
The contact information for the adoption of a military working dog is:
TSgt Joseph Null
Adoption/Disposition Coordinator
341 TRS/DOLM
1239 Knight Street
Lackland AFB, TX 78236-5151
Phone #’s (210) 671-5874 , 1-800-531-1066
These are true American heroes, so don’t take their adoption lightly. However, if you feel that you have it within your heart to open your home and your life to an animal that has given his all to serve and protect those that have kept us safe, then please contact Sgt. Null about opening your home and your heart to save one of these special animals today. They, above all others, deserve our respect and a safe place to lay their heads at night. They deserve a happy home and the love of a parent that will see that their final years are lived out in a warm and trusting environment, filled with laughter and joy. If that sounds like something you can do, then let this be the way you step up and serve your country. After all, they did, so how can we do any less for them?
And never forget, it’s only through you that the Randolph County Humane Society continues to save lives, one by one.
Posted by tailtalk 
