NATIONAL K9 VETERANS DAY

In 1942 the U.S. K9 Corps was created as a War Dog program using dogs officially for the first time in the U.S. Armed Forces. Today K9 Veterans Day recognizes the dogs who work at the Border Patrol, Secret Service, Airports, Police, Customs, FBI, and military. The K9 Corps is a military institution with a proud history.  Some of the services these dogs perform include rescues, searching for explosives, humans or drugs, scouting, apprehending a fugitive, acting in raids and on patrol. Their military missions are varied and deadly.  

​​These heroes have served their country abroad around the world as well as at home.  Their first duty was in North Africa.  Their training was initially under Dogs for Defense which later transferred to another training program.   Training is tailored to the job.

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN 03.13.2022

IMAGE COURTESY OF COURTESY GRAPHIC

​In 2021 there were over 1,600 dogs serving in the military.  They also serve to assist in post-war recovery.  A touring exhibit exists commemorating all the K9 dogs.  It will soon be housed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Ohio.
 
Famous K9 Veterans include:        
Stubby, American Pit Bull Terrier and the only dog to have the rank of Sergeant. Served 17 battles in France Chips, Collie/ Shepherd/ Siberian Husky mix (1940s) Germany, France, North Africa and Sicily               

Kaiser, German Shepherd (1960s), over 30 missions in Viet Nam.  Killed in action 1966      
                                    
Lucca, German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois, Marine, detected explosives for 6 years finding 40 explosives, lost front leg in Afghanistan in 2012 from IED blast.  No Marines died under her service.  She retired in 2012 and lived with her original handler, Gunnery Sgt. C. Willingham.

Smoky, Yorkshire Terrier, earned 8 battle stars with handler, was on 12 combat missions, survived 150 air raids and help build the airbase at Lingayen Gulf on Luzon, an island in the Philippines, 10 yr service (1944-55) live 14 yrs.                          

Conan, Belgian Malinois (Netherlands) – Cover missions/special ops Cairo, Belgian Malinois, Navy SEALs member, covert operation removing Osama Bin Laden, May 2011
 
Ways to Observe K9 Veterans Day

• Commemorate a K9 Veteran
• Learn more about training programs and consider supporting their causes, do your research. 
• Attend or read about ceremonies honoring these dogs
• Use #NationalK9VeteransDay on social media

References:
Bushatz, Amy. “National K9 Veterans Day.” Military.com, 16 Feb. 2021, https://www.military.com/veterans-day/k9-veterans-day.html.

“K9 Veterans Day 2022.” Awareness Days Events Calendar 2022, 13 Mar. 1970, https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/k9-veterans-day-2022/.

“Quick Links.” K9 Veterans Day, https://www.osi.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2002953585/.

SpouseLink, and Name *. “5 Of the Most Inspiring K-9 Veterans.” SpouseLink, 9 Feb. 2022, https://spouselink.aafmaa.com/5-most-inspiring-k9-veterans/.