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mardi 5 janvier 2016

Military Dog Adoption, Helping Canine Heroes

By Joseph Reed


If you are thinking of increasing the size of your family with a four-legged friend, there are many choices available. Purchasing a puppy, rescuing from a shelter or taking on an older dog from a breeder all have their own pros and cons. Another option which appeals to many is military dog adoption. These K9 heroes hold a special place in our hearts.

Many breeds respond well to basic training and can learn to sit, stay or walk nicely on a lead. Intelligence and a desire to please through work are traits needed to join the armed forces. Breeds which respond well to the rigors of this work include Labradors, German Shepherds and others who herd or scent well. Dogs and bitches are treated equally; it is the ability to do the job that is important.

Like servicemen, a canines career can be short or long. During the early part of the rigorous training there are often some which do not make the grade. These can be as young as 1 year when they are put up for adoption. Most go on to serve for 10 years or more and can be as old as 13. As there are a lot of people who would like to help, you may not be given a choice about age or breed.

Kennel masters usually give priority to handlers and those who have worked with K9 units in any of the services. As a member of the general public you may find yourself at waiting a long time to get the animal you would like. The wait may be months or years so patience is a must.

It is a sad fact that many of these miniatures heroes are retired through injury. Like their brethren soldiers they suffer from the bomb blasts and gunfire. Like their human counterparts they are trained for it and gladly put themselves in the line of fire to do their duty. Before retiring they are given health checks and this is all part of the process of getting your new friend home. Be patient though as the vets need to put the needs of active duty animals before those getting their well- deserved rest.

Armed forces all over the world use K9 units for tasks such as sniffing out explosives and providing security. Each base with working dogs will normally re-home to the local area or to those serving with that unit. In the United States, adoptions are sometimes available by contacting Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas. While the waiting list is long the rewards are high from these fantastic beasts.

Wherever you get your new family member, the process is very similar. After filling out an application and meeting the requirements or any responsible owner, you will also be required to sign a waiver stating that you understand the animal may bite. This ensures you understand fully the nature of the animal you are taking on.

Taking on a highly trained animal requires patience, caring and a willingness to work with it while it adjusts to its new life. They have served their country and deserve special care in a truly loving home environment. They make have spent years under fire and now look forward to lying beside one.




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