Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. (October 26, 2024): They risk their lives sniffing out bombs, detecting drugs, and tackling our enemies. Given their service, what happens to military working dogs when they retire? In this photo by Miriam Thurber, Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh dons a bite sleeve during a K-9 training event at the Air Force’s 341st Training Squadron. The 341st is the home of the Department of Defense military working dog program and is responsible for training over six hundred handlers and nearly three hundred canines each year. Their graduates are used in patrol, drug and explosive detection, and specialized missions.
Currently there are about 2,000 authorizations for military working dogs across all services and about 1,600 are in service. In 1942, the military created the Army K-9 Corps and working dogs have joined American troops in battle ever since.
Before November 2000, however, most of these dogs were euthanized or just left on the battlefield (Under the doctrine at the time, they were considered spare equipment). This practice changed after Hollywood movies dramatized the plight of these animals and how they are treated once they no longer serve.
In response to these concerns, the U.S. government created the Military Working Dog Adoption Program for animals that no longer meet the DOD criteria for government work. Under the current program, a dog’s last handler is given first priority to adopt before being offered to the general public. A dog whose handler was killed in action is typically offered to the immediate family before other options are explored.
Due to the nature of their service, some of these dogs may have hips, back, or other medical issues that may require prescription medications for the rest of their lives. Citizens willing to adopt these brave animals are rewarded with a loyal and faithful friend. Those that have too many issues that make them ineligible for adoption are compassionately euthanized.
We owe a great debt to these faithful pooches whose loyalty and devotion saves countless American lives.
(Editor’s Note: Lieutenant Madison Marsh, pictured above, is the current Miss America 2024.)