Four Military Working Dogs Retire in Special Ceremony

"...They might have walked on four legs, but they were airmen nonetheless.

Military Working Dogs Arek, Allen, Liska, and Bandy were all officially retired from duty Friday afternoon at a special ceremony at Hill Air Force Base’s Memorial Park.

A memorial was also held for MWD Marco, who recently died.

All of the dogs were members of the 75th Security Forces Squadron’s MWD Group at Hill..."

Read more at the Standard-Examiner

Military Service Dog and Handler Enjoy Homecoming

"...Every dog has its day, and Sunday retired 'working military dog' Sgt. Rex had his — when Sen. Charles Schumer hosted a welcome home ceremony for the canine hero and his handler, who were both injured in combat..."

Read more at DNAinfo.com

Retired Marine and Military Dog Reunited

"...Sgt. Rex, an 11-year-old German shepherd, spent most of his life sniffing out explosive materials. He served three combat tours during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On Friday, Sgt. Rex retired, and after six years apart, he was adopted and reunited with Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey, his former handler..."

Read more at KGTV San Diego

Dog to be Reunited with Handler Thanks to Children

"...Thanks to a school in Plano, Texas, a retired military dog named Nouska is coming home.

Prince of Peace Catholic School held bake sales and a dodgeball tournament to raise the $1,800 it costs to reunite the pup named Nouska with her original handler, a New Jersey resident living off of the GI Bill while he finishes college. In Nouska's case, her only other option after retirement would have been to be euthanized, starlocalnews.com reports..."

Read more at huffingtonpost.com

Military Working Dog Retirement

"...Col. Otto Feather retired Friday with another old dog from the Air Force — a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois named Elra.

Decommissioned as a military working dog last year, Elra recently was adopted by the outgoing 374th Airlift Wing commander.

“She just seemed like an old pal from way back,” said Feather, who met the dog during a K-9 demonstration at Yokota in October. “We just hit it off.”..."

Read more at Stripes

Military Service Dogs May Get Help from Lawmakers

"...Capitol Hill lawmakers are trying to help military service dogs finished with active duty by giving them full health benefits and streamlining their adoption process.

The Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act has been introduced in the House by Rep. Walter B. Jones (R-N.C.) and in the Senate by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and now awaits hearings.

Right now, the Department of Defense classifies military work dogs as equipment, which means service units or prospective adoption families must pay to have the animals brought home from abroad, which from Europe can cost more than $1,000..."

Read more at myfoxhouston.com

Military Service Dogs Find New Homes

"...Two silent heroes were retired from active duty with the Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, Kings Bay, here March 5.

As stories of their careers and lives were read, one sat silently at attention. The other, well, he was having a roll in the grass.
Military Working Dogs Bojar and Turbo were retired in a short but meaningful and emotion-packed ceremony. Both dogs served as patrol dogs and had other special training and duties during their careers here at Kings Bay..."

Read more at jacksonville.com

Military Service Dog and Marine Handler to be Reunited

"...It looks like Sgt. Rex, the Marine bomb-sniffing dog, will finally be reunited with his former handler, who had launched a high-profile campaign to adopt him.

The Marine Corps said today that the German shepherd has been found to be suitable for adoption and that once the paperwork is completed Rex will be reunited with his one-time handler, former Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey..."

Read more at ABC News

Bill to Help Military Service Dogs

"...For a pair of pooch-loving lawmakers, no dog should be left behind.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) are pushing legislation to better ensure that a soldier’s best friend — the military working dog — is provided a good home and veterinary care in retirement..."

Read more at POLITICO.com