When is National K9 Veterans Day?
Monday March 13thNational K9 Veterans Day and the dedicated K9 units that have served since World War II are commemorated on March 13th.
A lot of things have changed since the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. We rationed oil, leather, and rubber. Draft men are sent by the military draft to serve. Women rolled up their sleeves and assembled war equipment.
And dogs were called to service. During the first world war, the US took note of the European use of canines as sentries, message carriers, and various other uses.
Mrs. Alene Erlanger, a private citizen, initiated a program called Dogs for Defense. The group set out to breed the dogs for military use with the help of the American Kennel Club and a select group of breeders.
The military had the first Dogs for Defense in North Africa by November of 1942. Though they were initially gun shy, they were soon to be well prepared.
