Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society
The US military trains and uses dogs for a variety of reasons – and the dogs and their handlers develop a deep bond with one another.
The 2016 fiscal year military appropriations bill recently passed the House of Representatives and included a provision that mandates that all suitable military animals be made available for adoption. It also says that each animal’s handler — the person who these veterans most trust and rely on — shall be given priority when it’s time to adopt.
The bill is making its way to the Senate and it’s time to let Washington lawmakers know that you think this special provision should stay in the final version.
The Best Friends Animal Society has started an online form that enables you to ask your U.S. senators to support section 594 of the bill. Follow this link to the Legislative Action Center to take action.
Over the years, I have written a number of stories about dogs, military service, and the health and welfare of these special service animals. Visit these posts:
- SOF dogs and their memorial
- Hero Dogs – National Geographic June 2014
- The Dickin medal -awarded posthumously
- Canine PTSD: dogs suffer like soldiers
- Target – Afghanistan war dog dies
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
DoggyMom.com 