Military Dog Adoption, Helping Canine Heroes

By Joseph Reed


When you would like to add a four-legged friend to your family, you have several choices available to you. You could take an older dog from a breeder, buy a pup or rescue from one of the many shelters who have animals looking for loving homes. Something a little different that many find appealing is military dog adoption. There is a great fondness for these canine heroes.

Nearly all breeds are intelligent enough to be taught how to stay, sit or fetch but it takes great intelligence and a natural ability to be trained for the work required by the armed forces. For this reason they tend to use Alsations (German Shepherds), Labradors and other types of breed which can scent or track well. Females and males are both employed as it is their ability not their gender which is important.

As with people, a canine career can be long or short. Some are cut from the early stages or the training and might be only a year or so old when they need to be re-homed. Others may serve many, many years before being retired in the twilight of their life. Others still might be discharged sometime in-between. However with so many people wanting to help a so few dogs, you may not be able to choose between young or old.

Priority for adoption is given to handlers, ex-handlers and those who have worked with canines. The general public are normally last on the list to be contacted when there are animals available. If you have your heart set on adopting one, the wait could be many months.

It is a sad fact that many of these miniatures heroes are retired through injury. Like their brethren soldiers they suffer from the bomb blasts and gunfire. Like their human counterparts they are trained for it and gladly put themselves in the line of fire to do their duty. Before retiring they are given health checks and this is all part of the process of getting your new friend home. Be patient though as the vets need to put the needs of active duty animals before those getting their well- deserved rest.

Military around the globe use them for some of the most dangerous tasks such as sniffing out explosives or to attack potentially threatening hostiles. Each local kennel master will be responsible for re-homing their dogs either to locals or people who serve in their unit. If you live in the United States another place that sometimes has them is Lackland Air Base near to San Antonio in Texas. There is often a long waiting list for these amazing little soldiers.

Wherever you get your new family member, the process is very similar. After filling out an application and meeting the requirements or any responsible owner, you will also be required to sign a waiver stating that you understand the animal may bite. This ensures you understand fully the nature of the animal you are taking on.

Taking on a highly trained animal requires patience, caring and a willingness to work with it while it adjusts to its new life. They have served their country and deserve special care in a truly loving home environment. They make have spent years under fire and now look forward to lying beside one.




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