Military Working Dogs

This Veterans Day as America celebrates the service of its U.S. military, we remind every one of the canines who also serve their country. We honor them for their work and sacrifice to protect the freedom of humans.

There are approximately 2,500 dogs in U.S. military service serving as sentries, trackers, bomb detectors, in search and rescue efforts, and in Special Forces like the Navy SEALS. The financial investment in these highly trained dogs can pass $8,000 by the time they graduate when they enter their careers as noncommissioned officers, outranking their handlers. The United States War Dogs Association estimates that they have saved approximately 10,000 American lives in the years they have served.

The United States did not use Military Working Dogs until WWII, but they have been used in other parts of the world for centuries. They can be found in murals dating back to ancient Egypt, were on campaigns with Attila the Hun, William the Conqueror, the Spanish conquistadors, and Napoleon!

Wagging Tails offers a 10% discount to veterans year-round but in honor of Veterans Day, we want to add an extra “thank you.” All veterans are eligible for a free Playday as well. Thank you for your service, we salute you!