Meet the Dogs Honored at the 2014 Veterans Day Parade

Veterans Day is a holiday dedicated to showing our appreciation for the many people who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. For the first ever, the parade will also honor the dogs who have also served alongside many veterans. It is estimated that in total, these incredible teams of dogs have help to save a total of 150-200 service men and women. Given their selfless and incredibly loyal service to their veterans, it is wonderful to see the hard work of these dogs being acknowledged in this year’s celebration.

The American Humane Society in collaboration with Mission K9 Rescue and the US War Dogs Association have facilitated the reunion of 20 former military dogs and veterans. Six of these reunited pairs will make an appearance on their very own float accompanied by Ice-T, a retired U.S. Army vet and his wife Coco, Lois Pope, and Dr. Robin Ganzert, the CEO of the American Humane Society.

Many people do not realize what an important role dogs play in the military. Often they are on the front lines sniffing out bombs, or helping to carry out rescue missions. More than this, these dogs become the beloved companions of the veterans they work with and many help retired vets to recover from PTSD and readjust to life after combat.

According to a report published by PR Newswire, “military dogs do not always come home when the men and women with whom they served end their tours of duty and return home.”

Although many dogs are returned to the U.S., the military and its contractors are not required to take the dogs they serve with back to the U.S. to be retired as well. Not only are these six dogs being united with their former partners, but their incredible service is finally receiving the recognition they deserve.

So let’s meet these incredible dogs and give them all a big thank you!

Fieldy

This seven year old black lab served in Afghanistan for four years with his partner Cpl. Nick Caceres. Fieldy now lives with Cpl. Caceres in McAllen, Texas.

Maxi

Maxi has served multiple tours sniffing out explosives, but most recently served in Japan as a military police dog with Cpl. Jonathan Cavender.  Maxi now lives with Cpl. Cavender in Houston, Texas.

Cena

Cena and Cpl. Jeff DeYoung Jr. served side-by-side in Afghanistan. Cena now lives with Cpl. DeYoung in Muskegon, Michigan.

Mariah

Mariah worked detecting explosives in Afghanistan with Sgt. Oscar Peña. They were separated for four years before they were reunited in El Paso.

Ryky

Ryky gained a K9 Medal for Exceptional Service after helping a group of injured soldiers escape an ambush in Afghanistan. She know is retired and lives in Mandeville, Louisianna, with Staff Sgt. James Harrington.

Cila

Cila served alongside Staff Sgt. Jason Bos in the Army military police for nearly five years. The pair now lives together in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

All image source: NY Post