Too Cute To Be Equipment

Military Working Dogs are an irreplaceable asset; they keep military members and civilians safe during times of peace and war.  Un-like other military members, Military Working Dogs (MWDs) do not receive medical benefits when they retire.  In fact they are not even considered veterans.  “The MWD is a highly specialized piece of equipment that supplements and enhances the capabilities of security police personal” (Air Force Manual).  When their time in service is no longer needed, they are considered excess equipment by the government, and are retired.  With as many medical problems that MWDs can come with, it is sometimes hard to find a willing family to adopt them.
While in service, MWDs deploy with their handlers and experience the same hardships that the human goes through, if not worse, they are sleeping in kennels, or even on cement floors.  MWDs cannot talk about what they have been through like their handlers can.  They deploy to war torn countries to sniff out bombs that would have otherwise exploded and killed our military members.  They are the first in a building to clear it and make sure it’s safe for military personal to enter.  Their lives get put in danger before human lives.  With the vast amount of help and support they give our military, defending our country and Allies, and the many lives they save, MWDs deserve to have medical benefits just like all military members who have been injured in the line of duty when they are retired.  MWDs suffer just like their handlers from PTSD, have health issues like, arthritis, kidney failure, diabetes, and anxiety.  This can get very expensive for the families who adopt them and provide their forever retirement home.  It is crucial for our nation’s MWDs to get the proper medical benefits when they retire.  With medical benefits in place, more people would be willing to adopt them.
Here are a few possible solutions to the issue of the cost for providing retirement health care benefits to our nations retired MWDs:

·     A fund can be set up with CFC- Combined Federal Campaign.  Where any citizen, military or civilian, can make a donation that automatically gets deducted from their paycheck;

·     Veterinarians can receive a federal tax deduction for offering medications at cost, and reduced prices on services;

·     If the owner lives near a military installation, the veterinary treatment facility on base can provide low cost treatment.  If the owner does not live near a military installation, the government shall make a pet health insurance that can be accepted by civilian vet clinics, like they do with Tricare and human veterans;

·      Donate part or all tax refunds to a MWD charity fund; or

·     Have the military/veterans administration absorb all costs, since they were injured in the line of duty.

The military needs to take responsibility for MWDs and the injuries that they incurred while being on active duty, as they do with human soldiers.  MWDs did not “volunteer” their services, they were “drafted”.  Therefore, the last solution listed above would make the most ethical sense for these ailing service members.  There are about 300-400 MWDs that retire yearly, the exact number is not released.  Potential adopters would be more prone to open their homes and hearts to these wonderful, loving 4 legged soldiers knowing that their injuries, sickness, and diseases, would be medically covered by the government. 
MWDs have been exposed to the trauma of war just as much as humans have.  When a human solider retires or is medically discharged they keep their benefits either through the military, the VA or both.  The military needs to stand up and do what is right for these 4 legged soldiers.  They have served their country, often longer then human soldiers.  When MWDs retire, they are on the most important mission of their life; they are in search of their forever home.  The government would have more choices for such an important decision by having the dogs come with fully paid medical benefits.  That would help open the door to more potential adoptive families who otherwise would not be financially able to provide for these wounded war heroes and their health issues. 
These special dogs mean the world to their handlers, and all who care for them while they are on active duty.  After they are adopted they come to mean the world to their new owners as well.  There is something inside them that reaches into the heart of people.  A special bond is formed that will last forever, even after death.  Maybe it’s because you know that they have put their life on the line for their handler, and now will do the same for you.  It is an indescribable bond that is shared between the MWD and owner.  This is why many forever home families, including mine, are fighting so hard to get them the health care benefits they have earned.

Written By: Lisa P. Phillips

5 February 2011

The bill that has been drafted by Congressman Jones from N.C. uses NO tax payer’s monies!

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