26 East Baltimore Street
P.O. Box 669
Funkstown, Maryland 21734
301.733.7579


 

Military Canines

Send Holiday Cheer to the Forgotten Heroes
by Jennifer LB Leese

"Canines with courage and loyalty are serving over seas."

The high-quality work of the Animal Health Clinic of Funkstown has recently
gone to the dogs as they begin a project of collecting and sending food and
toy care packages to soldier dogs and their handlers of the United States
Armed Forces. What an excellent time of year! I hope you find it in your
hearts to think of military soldiers and the dogs of war during this holiday
season.

Because of their keen sense of smell and acute hearing, military dogs rush
into potentially dangerous situations well ahead of their human counterpart
searching for hazards so the troops can enter safely. These brave canines
help fight against terrorism everyday. Whether working as a "Scout Dog,"
serving as the infantry unit's eyes and ears, or tracking down the enemy as
a "Combat Tracker," military dogs give everything they can. Their jobs are
hard, long, and tiring. "Sentry Dogs" locate, distain, and destroy mines,
booby-traps, trip wires, tunnel compiles, and any other casualty producing
devices.

"These dogs are over there protecting our men and our country. They need to
be given the rewards that they deserve and to be made as comfortable as
possible while they are over there and for the rest of their lives, says
Debbie Brown at the Health Clinic.

According to United States War Dogs Association, military dogs have been
used by the United States since World War I. They estimated that more than
4,000 dogs served in Vietnam, and that these heroic pups saved more than
10,000 American human lives.

After Dr. Virginia Scrivener, 1993 founder of the Animal Health Clinic of
Funkstown, read an article in a magazine about helping out dogs of war, she
and her staff researched the topic further and decided to start this
wonderful project. "We know that being away from home and their families can
be a scary and sad time for both the soldiers and the canines. We want to
make that time a little more bearable for them," says Brown. "We plan on
continuing this as long as our soldiers and canines are away from home," and
"for as long as the community is willing to support it." The Clinic helps
raise money for the Kate Koogler Canine Cancer Fund, Community Free Clinic,
and the Humane Society of Washington County, as well as for Guiding Eyes for
the Blind by sponsoring Mudd Volleyball tournaments and participating in the
annual MS walk. Not only that, but did you know that your dog can donate
blood? The Health Clinic is now a blood donation site for the Eastern
Veterinary Blood Bank in Annapolis. If you would like to learn more about
this valuable service or would like information on the donor program, please
call 410-224-BANK.

In 1999, several Vietnam-era dog handlers got together to display a War Dog
Exhibit at AKC sponsored dog shows. By the end of 1999, they had decided to
start the United States War Dogs Association. This group is a nonprofit
organization of former US military dog handlers and supporting members. The
organization enlightens the public about the priceless service military dogs
have provided troops. Many organizations such as Cub Scouts and the Animal
Health Clinic of Funkstown as well as many individuals help raise money by
putting on events and by collecting donated items for military soldiers and
their furry lookouts.
Not only does the US War Dogs Association look to send care packages; they
also are working on establishing a US War Dog Memorial and having a
commemorative War Dog Stamp issued by the postal service.

When asked about the importance of helping military dogs and their handlers,
Ron Aiello, a Marines scout-dog handler in the Vietnam War and president of
the United States War Dogs Association had this to say, "This is very
important to me. I remember when I was in Vietnam with my K-9, Stormy, which
was for 13 months back in 1966-67. During that time period, I never received
a care package. I know that care package were being sent to Vietnam,
unfortunately I never saw one. Well, when our troops started to be deployed
to the Middle East, I just new what I had to do. Support our handlers and
their K-9’s." He went further to say, "I wish more people would get involved
in supporting our military K-9 teams serving in the Middle East. They can
use all the support that they can get," says Aiello.

Do you want to send holiday cheer to dogs of war? Here's a list of "new"
items you can send to these brave canines and their two-legged friends:
Dogs:
• Jerky treats
• American Flag bandannas
• Dog shampoo & conditioner
• Combs & brushes
• Squeaky toys
• Chew ropes
• Bones
• Tennis balls
• Dog Boots for large dogs

Soldiers:
• Toothbrushes, toothpaste, & dental floss
• Deodorant & baby powder
• Lip Balm & sun Screen
• Baby wipes
• Moisturizing Eye Drops
• Nail files, clippers, hand cream
• Powdered drinks
• Candy
• Gum
• Cookies
• Stationary

If you have a few items you'd like to donate, then drop by the Animal Health
Clinic of Funkstown at 26 E Baltimore Street in Funkstown and they'll take
it from there. If you'd like to donate money, checks or cash can be mailed
to the Clinic or to Ronald Aiello, c/o The United States War Dogs
Association, 1313 Mt. Holly Road, Burlington, NJ, 08016. The Funkstown
clinic offers free educational seminars several times throughout the year
for the community. Learn more about this group of caring individuals by
visiting their website at www.funkstownvet.com.

If you're interested in learning more about war dogs, their handlers, and
the US War Dogs Association, visit their website at http://uswardogs.org/.

"These [military] K-9 teams who are serving in the Middle East and elsewhere
around the world are highly trained professionals serving their country with
honor and I salute each and everyone." As do I. Please help.

Jennifer LB Leese
Children's Book Review Columnist, Author, and Copyeditor

The Picket News  Volume 7 - Issue 45

Thanks to Jennifer LB Leese for the article and for permission to post it on our website.

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