A couple of years ago, our club, the Tennessee Valley Kennel Club, was honored to host a program from a group of very special military K9 trainers from several conflicts, dating back to the Vietnam War and up to our current situations worldwide.
These brave soldiers shared their ongoing efforts to establish a very special museum to honor the brave K9 soldiers who have served our country and are responsible for saving thousands of lives during their service.
The Military Working Dog Heritage Museum, Inc. is a grass-roots organization comprised of dog handlers, veterinarians, vet techs, and other supporters who aim to create a world-class museum dedicated to America’s military working dog history. The museum is an all-volunteer 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, established by K9 handlers to preserve and share the rich history of the military working dogs that have served our country since at least World War II.
During their presentation, we heard first-hand stories about the demanding situations soldiers have experienced and the conditions they survived because of their dedicated K9 companions. Their stories recounted the dogs’ unique and extraordinary abilities to find and alert the troops to danger. In one case, a handler was playing and relaxing with his dog while deployed in Afghanistan. The dog suddenly started behaving differently and reacting to a specific area, which the handler thought was unusual. Investigating the area, a massive cache of buried weapons was discovered with enough munitions to wipe out the entire camp. Others recalled numerous times when dogs would react and alert personnel to something that was not right; the dogs would go into action, finding numerous IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and other life-threatening obstacles.
On one occasion, the troops were heading to a village that appeared to be deserted, but the dog started reacting before they got into the town. He was let out of the vehicle and ran ahead of the troops; he discovered, and was killed by, an IED that would have taken the lives of soldiers in the convoy.
These well-trained dogs have served and sacrificed many of their own lives to protect our brave men and women in uniform. We also learned that the dogs operate in a highly intense environment, and some eventually begin to suffer from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), just like their human counterparts.
The effort to share the stories and honor these special dogs is a labor of love. When you think of all the museums we have in this country, it is regrettable that we do not have one that honors these four-legged heroes and the handlers who have served our nation for many decades, and continue to serve.
The museum team works with former and current military working dog personnel, their family members, and supporters to gather documents, photographs, and oral and written histories of the men, women, and dogs who have protected us, and continue to do so.
Our club has provided the organization with space at the Great Smoky Mountain Cluster of dog shows in Knoxville, Tennessee. For the past couple of years, they have shared their stories, books, photos, and other memorabilia. The booth is also manned by former handlers who share their stories.
The organization also has an award-winning newsletter, “The Paw Print,” where you will find remarkable true-life stories and updates on the progress of bringing the project to fruition.
Here is information on where you can learn more and how to make donations to this very special and worthwhile cause:
US Mail:
On their website, you’ll discover a wealth of information, including newsletters filled with firsthand stories from trainers detailing the heroic actions of these extraordinary dogs. The site also features numerous photos and additional resources that bring the project to life. By exploring the website and reading through the newsletters, you’ll gain an enjoyable and deeply informative look into the incredible service these dogs—and the dedicated men and women who work with them—provide to our country.
The project is currently exploring potential locations across the United States for the future museum, and it remains a collaborative, nationwide initiative. I encourage kennel clubs to reach out directly—they may have local volunteers available who can speak to your group about this inspiring effort and how you can get involved.
And please consider donating to their cause.
