This Memorial Day as we remember soldiers who died in America’s wars, petside.com looks at our canine soldiers.
Dogs have distinguished military records, which all began with a homeless Bull Terrier named Stubby. During World War I soldiers from Connecticut’s 102nd infantry regiment befriended Stubby as their mascot and took him to Europe. After 17 battles, Stubby served so nobly that General John Pershing, the American Commander in Europe, personally decorated him for valor. After the war Stubby met three presidents and he was known as the unofficial grandfather of war dogs.
Records show that dogs have helped fight wars with ancient armies since 3000 B.C. Medieval military dogs wore armor embedded with blades and spikes – effective weapons against cavalry horses.
Ben Franklin wanted dogs in America’s colonial militia; however, dogs had no official role until World War I.
How does the military use dogs?
Today dogs – recognized for their high intelligence, strength and ability to adapt to any climate – have ever expanding military roles. They are sentries, trackers, scouts and detectors. Dogs even work in airborne rescue teams.
This past December the Army deployed two therapy dogs to Iraq; their mission was to help U.S. soldiers overcome combat stress.
Dogs are highly valued for their keen sense of smell. For example, some dogs serving in Iraq are trained to detect 17 different types of explosives. They can smell wires and AK47s and even detect enemy soldiers from 1,000 yards away. These skills make sentry dogs’ prized targets for enemy snipers.
During World War II dogs delivered messages behind enemy lines, carried food and medicine, and even helped lay telephone lines. The first U.S. military dog training program began in 1942; eventually there were 15 platoons of working dogs.
Which Breeds are Used? >>
