RUSH: They're often called the four legged warriors. These are the dogs who accompany US military personnel as they carry out their missions. This is Don Rush. Their service stretches back to World War II and this Tuesday a wreath will be laid for them at the Military Women's Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. There are from 1600-2500 that are working in the US Military today. In recent years, they were vital in keeping American soldiers safe in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Chris Willingham is president of the United States War Dogs Association. He saw tours in both countries. His dog, Luca was essential as they worked their way through the countryside.
WILLINGHAM: I'm looking for what's called a change of behavior. So I don't need the dog to get very close to the idea. As soon as she starts to show me a change in her baseline for sniffing, that's enough for me to be like, there's a dangerous area up here.
RUSH: He recalls the first time Luca saved his life. They were in a rock around the Tigris River where the path narrowed. Always a good spot for an ambush, but Luca warned them off of an improvised explosive device, an IED, which was beginning to make its appearance, but there were also losses. In one mission. Chris's unit lost two dogs, and he and Luca returned to a tent that once held their companions.
WILLINGHAM: That was a tough moment where I kind of broke down, and Luca was the one who came over and could read off your emotions and rested her head in my lap and was just there for me during a very difficult time. So that synergy between a dog and a handler is incredibly special, and there's nothing like it.
RUSH: Oftentimes, these same service dogs follow the soldier home, taken in upon retirement
WILLINGHAM: After deployment when she was retired and I was kind of dealing with deployment demons, it was so comforting to have the dog that was overseas with me laying on the couch with me and still read, feeding off of my behaviors and coming up to me when I was going through tough times. She was a very special dog and I was very, very fortunate to have had her in the military and also in retirement
RUSH: At the Women's Military Memorial, there is a sculpture celebrating that relationship between the soldier and her canine, internationally acclaimed sculptor Susan Bahary.
BAHARY: It's a bronze life-size [statue] and it's a kneeling combat soldier, kneeling right in front of her war dog right before they're going into battle. [His paw] connected with a hand, and just really that last moment of connection. It's all about trying to create a feeling and to try to inspire and educate people and in a way, tell history through art.
RUSH: Mahary says there is a search for a site for another sculpture in the nation's capitol to mark that relationship. Finally, this Friday will also mark National Canine Veteran's Day. A fuller look at these dogs and their bonds with their military personnel will be on this Friday's Delmarva Today at noon and WSDL and WESM. This is Don Rush for Delmarva Public Media.
