Throughout history, dogs have been noted for their loyalty and intelligence. They have been used in many different jobs, including military campaigns. Dogs have been used for tasks like gathering and delivering messages, patrolling, and alerting the soldiers to danger.

It’s no wonder National K9 Veterans Day exists! On March 13th of every year, these brave canines are celebrated. The whole point of the day is to honour and celebrate Military Working Dogs (MWDs) and their contributions to the military over time.

How Military Working Dogs Came About

The United States Military initially started introducing dogs to the military during World War I; at first, they were used solely for the delivery of messages to troops. However, their usage quickly expanded beyond this. By March 1942, the Dog Wars Program was established. Over the course of the war, it proved that dogs could be used for much more. The dogs conducted various tasks, such as scouting and carrying supplies.

MWDs were deployed by the Navy to guard shipyards. For the Coast Guards, they helped to patrol coastlines. Islands overrun by Japanese forces in the Pacific have been recaptured partially thanks to the USMC using MWDs. By World War I, there was such a high demand for MWDs that USMC troops all over the country were recruited to participate in the war and were personally trained to drive dogs.

Approximately a million dogs died while “in action” during WWI.

Modern Day Military Working Dogs

There are 3,000 MWDs actively deployed globally in this day and age. They work for various law enforcement agencies, including US Customs, Border Patrol, the military, federal law enforcement agencies and police forces.

Needless to say, the tasks of the MWDs depend on what agency they’re in. The keen sense of smell dogs naturally have is usually what agencies rely on. MWDs are used to sniff out the likes of:

• Bombs

• Certain diseases (such as COVID-19)

• Illegal drugs

• Illegal substances

MWDs these days are in the Military War Dog Program. Before they can join, dogs need to undergo intense training and intensive screening. They’re trained at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas with the 341st Training Squadron.

K9 Veterans Day

Joe White, a Vietnam Veteran and K9 handler and trainer, established K9 Veterans Day in 2010. He chose March 13 of that year to honour and celebrate MWD veterans. The date was based on the same month and day in 1942 when the US K9 Corps (War Dog Program) was created. After his passing in 2009, his wife Sally kept his efforts going until it finally became an official national holiday.

Ways to celebrate include, but are not limited to:

• Donate

• Honour a vet

• Post about it on social media

• Visit the memorial of an MWD

This special day is a great way for us to honour those who have served their country with their loyal companions.

Conclusion

National K9 Veterans Day is a very important day to celebrate MWDs-Military War Dogs. They usually receive specialized training in Texas before they can fully qualify. It’s commemorated on March 13 every year.

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