Veterans Day for K9s
People are not the only military veterans. Dogs can be veterans as well. This March 13 is National K9 Veterans Day.
There’s a reason they call dogs “man’s best friend.” Not only are dogs fun, loving, and loyal, but they can also protect us. K9 dogs are dogs used in the police force or the military. They are specially trained for situations that are unique to the line of duty. For as long as 7th century BCE, dogs have played a role in the military.
During WWI, the United States started using dogs to deliver messages to troops. At one point, the need for military dogs was so significant that American families actually started sending their dogs to be part of the war effort. During WWI, it is estimated that approximately 1 million dogs were killed in the war.
In 1958, the U.S. armed forces started training military dogs at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. In 2019, the book “Military Veterinary Services” by Nolan A. Watson was published, which detailed the roles that dogs play in the military.
This National V9 Veteran’s Day, there are many ways you can celebrate military dogs. First, you can adopt a retired K9 dog. Even though these dogs are heroes, they sometimes go without a home once they retire from their line of duty. If you want to bring a dog home, search for retired K9 dogs.
In addition to honoring the dogs who help keep us safe, think about paying tribute to human veterans as well. At SRQ Vets, we are a team of local veterans who serve fellow local veterans. You can learn more about our services by viewing our website or giving us a call at 941-777-8387.
