Today is an especially fitting day to share photos of the K9 Veterans Memorial. Because today is K9 Veterans Day.
Established on March 13, it's the anniversary of the 1942 founding of the United States Army K9 Corps. If you've followed my blog for long, you know I've recognized K9 Veterans Day several times.
The K9 Veterans Memorial's centerpiece is the sculpture Unbreakable Bond. Wisconsin animal sculptor Mark Dziewior created a touching vision in bronze.
It's in McCoy Park in Fort Atkinson, WI. The local Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson (KCFA) takes their K9 veterans very seriously.
They not only sponsored the creation of the K9 Veterans Memorial in McCoy Park (dedicated June 25, 2017). A couple of years earlier, they spearheaded an effort to get K9 Veterans Day officially recognized in the State of Wisconsin, in 2015.
Don't confuse K9 Veterans Day with National Police K9 Day. That's celebrated on September 1, according to one of my favorite K9 charities, Vested Interest in K9s.
Military Working Dogs face specific challenges and dangers that police K9s don't. Just like human veterans, some of them retire to pursue law enforcement careers. So it's easy for a layperson to think they're basically the same.
And, like law enforcement K9s, today's Military Working Dogs or MWDs are usually one of a few main breeds. It's another reason laypersons may confuse them.
People know less about Dutch Shepherds, but everyone knows the versatile, ever-popular German Shepherds.
The Armed Services still classify them as "equipment." But since the year 2000 they're no longer abandoned on the battlefield or euthanized. When they're too old or traumatized or wounded to serve anymore we bring them home.
Civilian and handler outrage made a difference. Most MWDs are now adopted by a former handler. As I noted above, some have second careers in law enforcement.
But all too many MWDs, like all too many human soldiers, go home wounded and traumatized.
This is where organizations like Mission K9 Rescue and specialized programs from groups such as American Humane can forge lifesaving links. If you're considering donation options, why not make a donation to them?
Many thanks also to the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson for the photos from the Capitol event. Finally, I must thank GetintoPC for the cool quote-image from Susan Orlean.
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| Views of the K9 Veterans Memorial in Fort Atkinson, WI. Mark Dziewior sculpted the bronze dog. The Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson conceived of the project, conducted the fundraising drive, and installed the memorial. Photos are from Facebook. |
Established on March 13, it's the anniversary of the 1942 founding of the United States Army K9 Corps. If you've followed my blog for long, you know I've recognized K9 Veterans Day several times.
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| An honor guard from the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson WI attends a ceremony at the K9 Veterans Memorial on March 9, 2020. (Photo from Facebook). |
Some background on the K9 Veterans Memorial
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| A couple of deputies pose by the K9 Veterans Memorial with their K9s on March 12, 2019. The men are identified as ED and KC. Their dogs are Friday and Nox. (Photo from Facebook). |
The K9 Veterans Memorial's centerpiece is the sculpture Unbreakable Bond. Wisconsin animal sculptor Mark Dziewior created a touching vision in bronze.
It's in McCoy Park in Fort Atkinson, WI. The local Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson (KCFA) takes their K9 veterans very seriously.
They not only sponsored the creation of the K9 Veterans Memorial in McCoy Park (dedicated June 25, 2017). A couple of years earlier, they spearheaded an effort to get K9 Veterans Day officially recognized in the State of Wisconsin, in 2015.
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| The Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson and a lot of law enforcement handlers and K9s appeared at the Wisconsin Capitol in 2015 to gain state recognition of K9 Veterans Day. (Photo from the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson). |
A day dedicated to Military Working Dogs
Don't confuse K9 Veterans Day with National Police K9 Day. That's celebrated on September 1, according to one of my favorite K9 charities, Vested Interest in K9s.
Military Working Dogs face specific challenges and dangers that police K9s don't. Just like human veterans, some of them retire to pursue law enforcement careers. So it's easy for a layperson to think they're basically the same.
And, like law enforcement K9s, today's Military Working Dogs or MWDs are usually one of a few main breeds. It's another reason laypersons may confuse them.
 |
| Here's another look at the K9 handlers in the Wisconsin Capitol to urge recognition of K9 Veterans Day. (Photo from the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson) |
Typical breeds for MWDs
The brilliant SEAL Team 6 dog Cairo was a Belgian Malinois. Malinois mixes also make up a percentage of MWDs. They're not show dogs. The armed forces don't care about breed standards. So they sometimes create crossbreeds for specific purposes. |
| This Susan Orlean Quote comes from GetintoPC. |
People know less about Dutch Shepherds, but everyone knows the versatile, ever-popular German Shepherds.
The Armed Services still classify them as "equipment." But since the year 2000 they're no longer abandoned on the battlefield or euthanized. When they're too old or traumatized or wounded to serve anymore we bring them home.
Civilian and handler outrage made a difference. Most MWDs are now adopted by a former handler. As I noted above, some have second careers in law enforcement.
But all too many MWDs, like all too many human soldiers, go home wounded and traumatized.
This is where organizations like Mission K9 Rescue and specialized programs from groups such as American Humane can forge lifesaving links. If you're considering donation options, why not make a donation to them?
IMAGE CREDITS:
A whole lot of these photos are from Facebook. I thank the National K9 Veterans Day Facebook page for the to photos of the sculpture, the wider shot from the ceremony, and the Deputies and their dogs.Many thanks also to the Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson for the photos from the Capitol event. Finally, I must thank GetintoPC for the cool quote-image from Susan Orlean.
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