The U.S. military is trying harder to reunite soldiers with their four-legged battlefield companions, both as a way to readjust service personnel to home life and to get the dogs out of harm’s way. (Associated Press – via Washington Times)
K-9 handlers have been having to jump through huge hoops of red tape and spend buckets of money in order to get their dogs back home where they can enjoy their retirement years, often as pets in the handlers’ homes.
The American Humane Association, which was instrumental in writing this portion of the bill, estimates each military dog saves the lives of between 150-200 servicemen and women by detecting IEDs and hidden weapons caches.
Now that the dogs are being brought back to US soil, and their handlers are given priority status as far as adopting them, it is hoped that PTSD on both ends of the leash will be reduced.
“This is a great day for military heroes. We believe all our veterans — two-footed and four-footed — should come back to a hero’s welcome,” Humane Association President Robin Ganzert said.
Kudos to the government for getting at least one worthwhile thing done this year!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!