THE WARRIOR DOG FOUNDATION SAVES THE LIVES OF MILITARY K9S


By bblouin
warrior dog foundation

The American Armed Forces thrives because of its ability to bring together many different individuals cohesively to complete collective objectives. This means gaining a diverse and growing number of skills from our heroes, all necessary to keep Americans safe. But not all of our heroes are human, as man’s best friend continues to serve in many ways on the battlefield. Veterans are provided with benefits, and there are many organizations working to help these heroes after the military. Thanks to the Warrior Dog Foundation, dogs that have served are getting help transitioning into civilian life, as well. Learn more about this great organization and how you can get involved. Read next:What Is K9s for Warriors?

The Warrior Dog Foundation Saves K9s

The United States doesn’t always have the best track record when it comes to treating canines after they've served in a war. After Vietnam, for example, there were thousands of dogs left or euthanized rather than coming home and enjoying a military dog adoption by a loving family. Dogs that are finished with military service can often become involved in law enforcement, but there are some that may find it hard to enter civilian life. Sadly, these are for many of the same reasons that Veterans have issues transitioning from the military, as well:

  • Dogs that serve in the military are trained for combat all of their lives. This can make adjusting to a non-combatant lifestyle difficult later in life.
  • Many canines suffer from injuries similar to Veterans returning from war.
  • Older dogs, especially those that have sustained injuries, may have a decreased quality of life.

The Warrior Dog Foundation understands these struggles and works hard to help canines receive a new lease on life and the help they deserve. This means providing rehabilitation, helping with rehoming, and anything involving transitioning. In doing so, these Warrior Dogs can find loving homes, receive the care they deserve upon entering society, and avoid euthanasia.

Helping Dogs Live Their Best Lives

Founded by Veteran and former U.S. Navy SEAL Mike Ritland, the organization hailing from Cooper, Texas, has been helping dogs since 2013. Ritland is the perfect leader for such a cause, as his 12 years of military experience are only amplified further thanks to his immense experience as a Naval Special Warfare Multi-Purpose Canine (MPC) Trainer for the West Coast. After leaving the military, Ritland began Trikos International, which worked with K9s and multiple government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Wanting to help is one thing, but it’s another to have the means by which to do so as well as the experience and skills. The goal of the Warrior Dog Foundation is achieved thanks to its state-of-the-art kennel facility, expert staff, and commitment to its cause. Rehabilitation is necessary for Warrior Dogs. Military Working Dogs (MWD), Contract Working Dogs (CWD), and Law Enforcement K9s (LEO K9s) all deal with intense situations and training that can alter their behaviors when in a civilian environment. This is what often leads to the euthanasia of these wonderful animals. Having a bite history or aggressive habits due to their occupation can make them too much of a hassle to adopt or unadoptable at all. The Warrior Dog Foundation is out to fix this. By working with these animals, they help canines who have served in such capacity to not only retire but also do so with dignity and receive a better quality of life. Handlers work through rehab with the canines using a variety of methods that focus on fixing the previously mentioned issues through mental stimulation, exercise/engagement, proper nutrition, and providing supplements to help them readjust. So, how do handlers understand whether or not the rehabilitation is working? Success is viewed when the symptoms of these dogs have decreased. Here’s what they measure:

  • Aggression toward other dogs.
  • An aversion to being in a crate.
  • Environmental sensitivity.
  • Extreme resource guarding.
  • Grooming sensitivity.
  • Hyperreactivity to stimuli.
  • K9 PTSD.
  • Loud noise reactivity.
  • Perceived confrontational body language reactivity.
  • Tactile sensitivity.

When the dogs are able to show that they have made progress and can enter civilian life, they can become military dogs for adoption to loving homes. For those that never overcome their setbacks, Mike Ritland’s Warrior Dog Foundation will continue to care for the dogs for the rest of their lives.

How Do I Adopt a Dog From Warrior Dog Foundation?

If you’re looking to adopt a retired military dog, you’re going to need to submit an adoption form with the appropriate information to begin the process. Things such as a fenced-in yard, references to your experience handling K9s, and even personal references are some of the things you’ll need to provide on your application. It’s always important to evaluate your lifestyle before making such a commitment, but if your household is able, the Warrior Dog Foundation provides a great opportunity to help change the lives of K9 heroes that helped keep this the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. Suggested read: Animal Heroes: 6 Military Animals That Made a Difference

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Photo by Michelle Thum Public Health Command Europe


CONNECT WITH US
VeteranLife Logo

©2024 VeteranLife. All rights reserved.