Veteran not allowed at Heroes Hall...because he is a dog?

Veteran military dog not allowed at Heroes Hall at VA Hospital

KRQE
by: Jeannie Nguyen
Feb 21, 2020

Singh says as part of the contract she signed with the Department of Defense to adopt Puma, she’s not allowed to turn him into a service dog.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A former bomb-sniffing Army canine belonging to a veteran isn’t allowed at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Albuquerque, even though the dog is a veteran too.

Puma was an explosive detection canine that served two deployments in Afghanistan.

“Puma served seven years in Fort Leavenworth and that’s where he retired from,” says Lani Singh.

Now he’s living the retired life with his handler, Lani Singh, an Army veteran herself, who’s going through chemo-treatments at Heroes Hall for breast cancer.

Originally from Northern New Mexico, Singh rented an Albuquerque apartment to avoid the long commute. Now, Singh is struggling with the rules of the hospital when it comes to bringing her fellow vet to her appointments.

“He is a veteran, but because he’s a dog veteran and not a human veteran, he’s not allowed at Heroes Hall,” she says.

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After 3 tours together, Marine veteran had to lay paw-brother to rest

Marine Dog With Cancer Gets Emotional Farewell

IHeartDogs
by Molly Weinfurter

“My whole adult life I’ve had Cena. When I was 19 overseas learning how to be responsible, I had Cena. And now I’m 27 and I’m having to say goodbye to one of the biggest pieces of my life.” Jeff DeYoung

Losing a dog is one of the hardest things a person can go through. After all, dogs are there for us through every step of the way, so they deserve to be honored. This is exactly how Marine Corporal Jeff DeYoung felt when he learned that his beloved dog, Cena, was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. Not only had Cena been his loyal companion, but they had also served 3 tours overseas together.

Cena and DeYoung’s Bond
Cena and DeYoung had been together for a long time. In 2009, DeYoung was first paired with Cena, who was a talented bomb-sniffing dog. The pair grew very close during that time, and they protected each other through the most difficult parts of their service.

In 2014, Cena retired from his duties, and DeYoung decided to adopt him. From there, Cena became his service dog to help him with his post-traumatic stress disorder.

Cena always knew how to cheer DeYoung up, so he was the perfect companion. The two were inseparable from that moment on. Cena even helped DeYoung through some of the hardest moments in his life, including the 3 weeks where 7 of his friends passed away.

“We may not have been the same species, but we were most definitely brothers.” Jeff DeYoung

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IG reports US Bomb Sniffing dogs were mistreated in Jordan

IG Report: US Sent Bomb-Sniffing Dogs to Jordan, Then They Died from Poor Care

Stars and Stripes
By Chad Garland
13 Sep 2019

For more than 20 years, the State Department has provided bomb-sniffing dogs to foreign countries. But the program came under scrutiny in May 2018, nearly a year after a complaint left on an IG hotline alleged a lack of oversight, insufficient health care for the animals and poor working conditions.

A malnourished Jordanian bomb-sniffing dog named Mencey is seen in an April 2018 photo taken when a team of veterinary workers traveled from the U.S. to prevent an outbreak of insect-borne illness among U.S.-trained working dogs the State Department provided to Jordan. (U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL)

The U.S. government continued to provide dozens of bomb-sniffing dogs to the Kingdom of Jordan, even as the animals were dying of serious health problems and others were so poorly treated that they had "lost the will to work," a government evaluation found.

Since 2008, at least 12 U.S.-trained explosive detection canines provided to the kingdom under an antiterrorism program died from medical problems. Others were overworked, unhealthy and forced to live in kennels with "barely existent" sanitation, including some where a deadly virus was rampant, officials said.
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Fort Wainwright soldier found dead after welfare check

Army dog handler found dead in Alaska home during welfare check

STARS AND STRIPES
By WYATT OLSON
Published: January 4, 2019

A 25-year-old Army dog handler was found dead Wednesday at his home in North Pole, Alaska, the Army said.

A Fort Wainwright sign is shown in this undated photo. COURTESY OF THE U.S. ARMY

Alaska law enforcement officers discovered the body of Sgt. Jorden Thomas Williams during a welfare check that had been requested by family members living outside the state, the Army said Friday in a statement.

North Pole is located between Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright, where Williams was stationed. The town is about 13 miles southeast of the central city of Fairbanks.
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Handling a Military Working Dog

Special Breed: Handling a Military Working Dog

Department of Defense 
DEC. 31, 2018

Over a five-year period, Navy Chief Petty Officer Lucky Jackson, a military working dog, and his handler, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jaime Perez, a master at arms, have forged a bond that ensures the Navy is getting the maximum capability out of its military working dog force.

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Air Force Wife Not Jealous Hubby Has Another Love in His Life

Ohio Air Force Sgt. reunites with military dog after 3 years apart
FOX News
Cristina Corbin
Published April 28, 2017

The two last saw each other in 2014. The reunion last week was made possible by American Humane, a Washington-based nonprofit group, which funded the costs of bringing Emra home to retire on U.S. soil.

Wylie and Emra, pictured above, were reunited April 20 in Cincinnati.

(American Humane and Crown Media Family Networks/Brian Douglas)

For U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Adam Wylie, "Emra" -- the 9-year-old Belgian Malinois he was forced to leave behind in South Korea -- was more than a service dog.

The canine filled the void of family when Wylie, a 12-year veteran of the armed forces, was deployed from 2012 to 2014 in South Korea where he was stationed around Osan Air Base.

"She meant the world to me," Wylie, 33, told Fox News.

The two -- separated for three years -- were reunited April 20 in Cincinnati in a heartwarming reunion that at first seemed improbable. Emra had retired as a service dog due to old age and the beginnings of arthritis -- and was living thousands of miles away from her former handler.
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Wounded Times Dog Days

It seems most of Wounded Times Google+ posts over the last couple of days have been about dogs. (Gee, no shocker there)

How a dog named 'Harbaugh' helped a Michigan veteran fight PTSD

Skydiving Dogs

Dropping into action Dogs are also trained to rappel from helicopters. “That is the most effective tool against poaching ever used and it’s low technology, it’s low cost compared to other technologies. And it works,” Holtshyzen says

‘Puppy Love’ Turning Out To Be Great Way To Help Vets With PTSD

March 13, 2017 

On National K9 Veterans Day, Salute Military Working Dogs

Monday, March 13, marks National K9 Veterans Day, a day to honor and commemorate the service and sacrifices of American military and working dogs throughout history. According to American Humane, it was 75 years ago today that the U.S. Army first established the War Dog Program, or “K9 Corps,” to train man’s best friend to become the military’s best canine asset. The dogs of war who have served alongside soldiers throughout history aren’t just good dogs — they’re great dogs.

Veteran who served in Afghanistan gets reunited with service dog after 5 years

Special Ops Veteran Brings Back "Ghost" From War Zone

Special ops veteran risks life to recover pets from bases in war zone
FoxNews.com
By Cristina Corbin
Published January 23, 2017

The recovery operation was costly and dangerous, requiring the special operations soldier to enter hostile territory in full body armor and make his way to a U.S. military base.

The purpose of his mission, however, did not include bringing back an American soldier. It was to pick up a 45-pound white Canaan dog named "Ghost" and reunite him with his human companion back home.

It's the kind of mission this soldier, who declined to give his name for security reasons, says he conducts in war zones around the world.

"It's the best feeling to reunite these pets with their soldiers," he told Fox News. "I was wounded in Iraq, myself, and I owe my life to my dog. There is a bond there that could never be broken."

For American soldiers serving abroad, pets are not considered military property – and are often left to die in the war zones where they bonded with their handlers. But this special operations soldier, with the help of a New York animal rescue group, has made it his mission to fly into countries in the Middle East and bring the pets back to the U.S. to live with their companions and their families.
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Military Puppies Need Foster Parents in Texas

Foster a future hero: Military pups bred in SA may need your help
KENS
Alicia Neaves
May 03, 2016

100 dogs born in the 341st Training Squadron Military Working Dog Breeding Program each year are destined for a life of service.

SAN ANTONIO -- Military working dogs responsible for saving the lives of our military members are bred and trained in San Antonio.

The biggest challenge for the breeding program is finding enough foster families to socialize the puppies before their official training begins.

KENS 5 stopped by JBSA-Lackland to learn more on has more on how you can help raise the Belgian Malinois puppies that go on to serve our country.

"These guys are like regular dogs on about 11 Red Bulls," said Tracy Cann, a foster consultant at JBSA-Lackland.
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Canine Kennel to be Named For Fallen Marine and Dog

MARSOC MARINE TO BE HONORED IN DEDICATION CEREMONY
WWAY TV 3 News
By: Elizabeth Bynum
09/04/2015

Cpl. David M. Sonka alongside his canine partner, Flex (Source: MARSOC)

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC (WWAY) — A MARSOC Marine will be honored in a ceremony Monday in memory of both him and his canine partner overseas.

A MARSOC spokesperson said a Multi-Purpose Canine kennel will be named in honor of Cpl. David M. Sonka. They said Cpl. Sonka, along with his Multi-Purpose Canine Flex and SSgt. Eric D. Christian, were killed in May of 2013 in Afghanistan. 

The spokesperson said Cpl. Sonka, an Aurora, Colo., native, was on his second combat deployment. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart medal.
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Story Behind PTSD Movie About Military Dog Max

The heart-wrenching story behind four-legged flick ‘Max’ 
New York Post
By Lindsay Putnam
June 21, 2015

“We can put up walls when it comes to our own species dying, but there’s something about dogs that causes people to lose their cynicism and drop their defenses.”

Sheldon Lettich got his first Belgian Malinois by accident.

The LA-based screenwriter had just put down a pet when he and his wife went to the pound to look for a new companion. “We like big dogs,” Lettich, 64, says. “We wanted something like a German shepherd.”

As luck would have it, the shelter had a litter of what looked like four German shepherd puppies. Lettich and his wife took two, and named the pair Tina and Charlie. But as the pups grew, Lettich realized they didn’t look like other German shepherds in the neighborhood. Months later, he found out why.

In the film, Max — who suffers from PTSD following the death of his handler, Kyle Wincott (Robbie Amell, best known as Firestorm on “The Flash”) — moves to Texas to live with the Wincott family and adapt to “civilian” life. Kyle’s younger brother, Justin (Josh Wiggins), is put in charge of the unruly canine.
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Max Official Trailer #1 (2015) - War Dog Drama HD
MOVIECLIPS Trailers

Tri-Pawed Afghanistan Hero

'Superhero' Dog Saves Army Partner's Life in Afghanistan -- and He Stands by Her 
ABC News
By AMANDA KEEGAN
via GOOD MORNING AMERICA
Apr 22, 2015

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Julian McDonald says Layka, the 4-year-old Belgian Malinois with a missing paw, saved his life on an overseas deployment in Afghanistan in 2012. Courtesy Julian McDonald

For U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Julian McDonald, Layka, the 4-year-old Belgian Malinois with a missing paw, isn’t just a canine companion. She’s a hero.

McDonald, 29, said Layka saved his life on an overseas deployment in Afghanistan in 2012. McDonald was on his eighth overseas tour and completing a routine mission with his teammate and Layka, a trained military dog. “We got there to kind of assess the situation a little bit more.

That's when the guy ... started to shoot,” McDonald recalled to ABC News. Layka was hit. “He shot her, about four to six controlled rounds at her,” McDonald said, calling it “a dire situation.” 

Despite her wounds, Layka continued the mission with her team, and was rushed into treatment when she made it back to safety. After multiple surgeries, doctors had to amputate the dog’s right paw.
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Marine's Best Friend Lost Limb to Save Him

A Marine's Best Friend
Parade
SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

Military dogs are often our troops’ first line of defense, sniffing out hidden bombs in some of the most dangerous places on earth. This excerpt from the new book Top Dog by Maria Goodavage recalls the ­sacrifice and bravery of a smart German Shepherd–­Belgian Malinois mix, who led Special Forces ­soldiers onto a battlefield in Afghanistan’s Helmand River valley in March of 2012. But it also captures the loyalty and trust that develop between a dog and her handler and the deep, loving bond that lasts a lifetime.

Rod never left Lucca's side as she recovered from surgery.

(Courtesy of Juan Rodgriguez)

Marine Cpl. Juan “Rod” Rodriguez crunched across the dry farm field, his right hand resting on the M4 rifle strapped to his chest. He kept clear of the path that meandered through hard clumps of dirt that looked nothing like the rich soil of his New England roots. The road less traveled—ideally, no road at all—was the safest from homemade bombs sowed by the Taliban.

Rod watched his dog Lucca, who was 30 feet ahead, inspecting for IEDs. Unlike much of the agricultural land around here, this field was barren. In the distance, a compound, a tree line, some worn-down mountains.

Rod could see Lucca trotting with a purpose, nose down, tail up. She was an old pro at the business of sniffing IEDs off leash. “Good girl, Mama Lucca,” he said under his breath.

Lucca Bear. Lucca Pie. Bearcat Jones. Mama Lucca. The Special Forces ­soldiers Rod was working with had come to know Lucca by all the terms of endearment she had inspired during her career. She had led more than 400 missions, and no one had been hurt by an IED when they were with her.

Mama Lucca was the name that had stuck lately. She was the only one that the Green Berets felt comfortable hugging after a tough day. The maternal moniker was a natural fit.

A cloud of gray smoke erupted before Rod heard the explosion. “No!” Rod shouted, squeezing his helmet between his hands. Radios around him buzzed into a frenzy, but he didn’t hear words. As the curtain of debris curled away, he could see Lucca had dragged herself up and was standing, dazed, alive. Rod dashed toward her, not thinking about IEDs that might be between them. Lucca could take only a few steps before Rod swept her up in his arms.

A History of Canines in Combat

When called, these tail-wagging warriors ­became battlefield heroes

Sgt. Stubby served through 17 battles in World War I, leading medics to the wounded and saving his regiment from a gas attack. He made the front page of newspapers back home when he caught a German spy literally by the seat of his pants.

Smoky, a Yorkie discovered in a foxhole in New Guinea during World War II, accompanied Cpl. William A. Wynne (often riding in his backpack) for nearly two years through the South Pacific. When Wynne was hospitalized, Smoky lifted the spirits of other patients and even went on rounds. She’s considered the first therapy dog.

Nemo protected his handler, Robert Thorneburg, during a fight with Viet Cong in South Vietnam. Despite a gunshot wound and an injury that would lead to the loss of his eye, the 85-pound German Shepherd crawled on top of his injured handler until help ­arrived.
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Four British Army dogs have paid the ultimate price

Four military dogs killed in action in Afghanistan
The Telegraph
25 Oct 2013

They are “vital” to military operations in Afghanistan but four British Army dogs have paid the ultimate price on the front line in the last three years, it has been revealed.

Four military dogs have died on the frontline Photo: ALAMY

One of the animals is understood to have been shot by Taliban insurgents while supporting British Special Forces soldiers on a secret operation.

The four dogs, two Labradors, a Springer spaniel cross and a Belgian shepherd died in Helmand province while working alongside their human comrades since March 2011.

The MOD said the role of the 11,000 dogs that work across the armed forces “cannot be underestimated."

Ric, a Belgian Shepard, "died as a result of enemy fire" in Helmand province in August this year the Ministry of Defence said. The MoD refused to give any more information about the incident but it is understood that the operations concerned invovled Special Forces troops.

The four dogs' deaths reveal the dangers that they face on the front line. In January a Labrador called Scout was killed in an IED explosion while out on routine patrol. Scout, an IED detection dog, was deployed in front of a patrol of an dismounted patrol and was killed instantly when he touched an IED.
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Combat wounded Marine gets new leash for life

At ease, Marine: Blinded K-9 finds forever family in Spanish Springs
Shreveport Times
Aug. 3, 2013

A Marine veteran who went blind while in service to his country has found a home in Spanish Springs.

Since the nine-hour drive from Camp Pendleton in Southern California the last week in June, he has been getting accustomed to his new digs, meeting the family, taking naps, chewing on tennis balls and begging for belly rubs.

It’s OK.

His name is Asur, and he’s a dog.

Bunnie and Ross Laflin sit with Asur, a former Marine explosives dog, in the yard at their Spanish Springs home. Asur was left blind because of acute glaucoma. The Laflins adopted him through their daughter's nonprofit, Hounds and Heroes.
Guy Clifton/RGJ

The 4-year-old German shepherd, a bomb-detection specialist during his time in the Marines, has been adopted by Ross and Bunnie Laflin, whose ranch home overlooking the Spanish Springs Valley includes seven other dogs, two cats, four goats and three chickens — all rescued.

“He’s part of the family,” said Ross Laflin, a retired San Francisco police officer. “He and Rookie (one of the rescued dogs) sleep on the bed with me. He’s going to be a good dog.”
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Green on Blue attack leaves two Marines dead along with dog that tried to save them

Parker Marine killed in action in Afghanistan, dog tried to save him
POSTED: 05/06/2013
By Ryan Parker
The Denver Post

A 23-year-old Marine from Parker — and the Military Working Dog that was trying to save him — were killed during a combat operation in Afghanistan's Farah province Saturday, Major Jeff Landis of the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command told The Denver Post on Monday.

Cpl. David Sonka and his dog, Flex, were killed during an alleged insider attack, the Marine Corps Times reported Monday.

Staff Sgt. Eric Christian, 39, of Warwick, N.Y., also was killed, Landis said.
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Wounded dog handler heading home with best friend

Wounded dog handler heading home with best friend
I Marine Expeditionary Force
Story by Cpl. Joshua Young
Cpl. Joshua Young April 26, 2013

Jony, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois and specialized search and explosive detection dog, hides out in the shade at Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 25, 2013. Jony, who went through a surgery the day before, is preparing to be adopted by his handler, Sgt. Brian Riddle, a military working dog handler with Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Law Enforcement Battalion.

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - The 23-year-old sergeant’s voice breaks as he pauses to collect his thoughts on how to express his feelings for his fallen friends. The names of his comrades are engraved on his “KIA” Bracelets, which now sit on a table adorned with military memorabilia and memories of friends he’s served with.

“Every day you wake up is a blessing in itself,” said Sgt. Brian Riddle, a military working dog handler with Headquarters and Support Company, 1st Law Enforcement Battalion. “Every day I wake up is another day that they’re not going to, so I live my life as they would live theirs.”

Riddle, who served two combat deployments in Afghanistan, is currently recovering from injuries at the Hope and Care Center in Camp Pendleton, Calif. The two-time Purple Heart recipient was injured in both deployments.

He took a bullet to the chest, which deflected off of the protective plates in his flak jacket and ripped across his chin and neck on April 10, 2010. In a terrible, almost anniversary-style fashion, Riddle was hit two years later by a mortar round which severely damaged his right hip and caused shrapnel damage to his face on April 22, 2012.
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Burial planned for US Army soldier dog

Burial planned for US Army soldier dog
Feb 03, 2013
By Ron Savage
Fox 2 News

A war hero comes home. It's a Fox 2 follow-up. We previously told you about Mina, the black lab, a US Army soldier dog who did at least 9 tours of duty in Afghanistan. Her handler, still serving, has been battling for a final resting place for Mina.
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Wounded in Afghanistan, wrapped in love in Orlando

Have you even had one of those days when it seems nothing went right? SFC Josh Burnette had one of those days on June 27, 2012 in Afghanistan.

He's a quiet hero that didn't feel as if he deserved anything special. Well, he's getting it anyway!

He survived and now I have another question. Ever have one of those days when you felt like you really wanted to do something for some of our wounded? Ever want to know where the money is going to and what it will be doing? Here's your chance.

On January 12, 2013, there is a very special event for Josh at VFW Post 4287 in Orlando FL sponsored by Semper Fidelis. You can get tickets ahead of time by contacting Mary at letsnotforgetthem@yahoo.com.

I will be filming this event and can't wait to do something for someone like him. How about you?

Monument honors military service dogs

Monument honors military service dogs
By Sue Manning
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Oct 30, 2012

LOS ANGELES — The act of Congress is in the books, the bills are paid, the sculptures are being cast, and one of the biggest parades in the world will start a glory tour and countdown to dedication.

The first national monument to pay tribute to military dogs will be unveiled in California in just two months. The U.S. Working Dog Teams National Monument will honor every dog that has served in combat since World War II.

Some cities, cemeteries and military bases across the country already have such memorials. But none has been elevated to national monument level, where it will be in the company of the Statue of Liberty, Yosemite National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

In 2000, John Burnam, a 65-year-old veteran military dog handler, wrote a book called “Dog Tags of Courage.” A year later, he got an email from a reader wondering why there were no national monuments to the dogs of war.

In “Dog Tags” and a 2008 book, “A Soldier’s Best Friend,” Burnam wrote about his time with the Army’s 44th Scout Dog Platoon when he was in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968.
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