Megan+C

The Unknown Heroes in the War

Hundred of dogs die as heroes when the serve side by side with a soldier. There were up to 2,300 working dogs serving with the U.S. Department of Defense in 2004. Each dog has it own role to do in the war, but each have the same role to protect their handlers. The dogs in the war have risked their own lives to save the soldiers lives. The dogs do so much for us when some do not notice the things they do for us.

The United States shortly after Pearl Harbor has been training dogs for combat. The Lackland Training Detachment is one of the main places for dog training in the United States it is located at San Antonio, Texas. They train seven different breeds of dogs Belgian shepherds, German shepherds, coolies, Airedales, Dobermans, giant schnauzers and Rottweilers. The dogs go through intense twelve week training starting first with [|obedience]. They must be able to first heel lie down stay and recall until the dog can learn the more complicated things like crawling under and jumping over obstacles. They are trained with many distractions and sounds such as firecrackers, explosive charges and rifle fire. If a dog is unable to overcome the sounds the dog will be taken off training. The dogs train for hours a day striving for perfection and able to perform with no distractions.

The dogs must be able to do all that is asked of them or they will not be able to be classified to go to war. The closest family the dogs have is their handler. After the dog has been qualified for the war they [|meet their handlers]. The pair must work as a team. They must learn each others weaknesses and strengths to overcome anything that comes at them. The dogs have been given many different roles in the military. The roles have changed over the years to more advanced duties. The roles include Sentry dogs, Patrol dogs, Messenger dogs, Mine dogs, Causality dogs, Explosive Detection dogs. Each of theses roles has its own specific training for the dogs to go through. Sentry Dogs is one of the main divisions of the roles dogs play in the military. Sentry dogs were trained to accompany a military guard on patrol and give them warning of approach of strangers with in an area. The dogs warn the guard by growling or barking to alert that someone is near. Their use has proved them to be valuable in any place where security against intruders must be maintained. Patrol Dogs are the exact opposite of sentry dogs. Patrol dogs work in complete silence to aid in the detection of snipers, ambushes and other enemy forces. To alert that an enemy is close the dog will stiffen its body, raise its hackles, prick its ears and hold its tail rigid. Patrol dogs are able to detect the presence of an enemy up to a distance of 1,000 yards. The help of these dogs lessen the danger of ambush. The other roles are not as significant. Messenger dogs unique ability is to work with two handlers. Mine dogs were trained to find trip wires, booby traps, metallic and nonmetallic mines. Causality dogs are to report casualties. The dogs most commonly used in Iraq at the time are the Explosives detection dogs. They are trained to alert on the scene of chemicals used in explosives. All the dogs have their own part in keeping nation safe. When the dog has reached ten years old the dog must retire. For decades the dogs after the war were euthanized. Thanks to the law passed in 2000 the dogs are able to be adopted. Some dogs are adopted by their current handler or a former handler they have worked with. They can also go to law enforcement agencies or individuals capable for caring for them. Allowing service dogs to live their life with loving families has been greatly appreciated by many people. Dogs are more than cute and cuddly they have saved lives and are helping secure the nation. Dogs are helping do so much in the wars we fight, even though we do not recognize it. Everyone says a dog is a mans best friend but a dog is more than that he is a partner. Dogs go through so much to do what they do, they are truly soldiers.

Work Cited

Aiello, Ron. "Today's K-9 Teams, (New) I." 2 May 2008. United States War Dogs Association, Inc.. 7 May 2008 .

Kozaryn, Linda. "Defend America." U.S. Department of Defense News about the War on Terrorism. 7 May 2008 <[|www.defendamerica.mil/.../a091605la1.html]>.

"Lackland Training Detachment." 20 Janurary 2008. Olive Drab. 7 May 2008.

Riddick, Captain, John. "Training Center for Army Dogs." 8 January 2007. Army Dog Training Center. 7 May 2008 .