On March 13, 1942, the U.S. Army initiated its groundbreaking War Dog Program, marking a historic milestone in integrating dogs into the Armed Forces. Today we celebrate their contributions on K9 Veterans Day. Join us in commemorating the bravery and dedication of K9s in the military.

A Look Back at K9s in the Military

Before the War Dog program was established, military working dogs bravely fought beside service members. During the Civil War, Jack and Sallie served alongside their fellow soldiers and helped raise their regiments morale. Sergeant Stubby was the official mascot of the 102nd Infantry Regiment and assigned to the 26th Division in World War I. He served for 18 months and participated in 17 battles on the Western Front.

When the U.S. entered World War II, the War Dog program called upon citizens to donate their beloved pets to be trained for war. Chips was a trained sentry dog for the U.S. Army and the most decorated dog from World War II. He served in the 3rd Infantry Division and earned both the Purple Heart and Silver Star for saving countless U.S. soldiers’ lives on the battlefield. Today, these four-legged fighters continue to serve beside their fellow soldiers.

Dedicated Working Dogs: Their Vital Role Before, During, and After Service

Learn about the different types of working dogs from Veterans Alex Schnell, Jessica Harris and Joe Worley:

From sniffing out danger to providing comfort and companionship, these incredible creatures have made invaluable contributions to our Armed Forces. Let’s remember their sacrifices and celebrate their unwavering commitment.