Nearly eight decades ago, the U.S. Army officially began training dogs as part of its War Dog Program. Despite all the advances in military technology, military working dogs remain a crucial component of our national defense.

On National K-9 Veterans Day, celebrated annually on March 13, Americans across the country come together to thank our four-legged friends who bravely serve and keep our men and women in uniform safe from harm.

Consider K-9 Troll, a retired MWD awarded American Humane’s Lois Pope K-9 Medal of Courage. While deployed in Afghanistan, MWD Troll logged more than 12,000 hours over 89 combat missions, keeping troops safe by detecting buried IEDs, concealed tunnels and hidden weapons stashes.

If you see any K-9 veterans like MWD Troll, be sure to throw them a bone.

Robin R. Ganzert
WASHINGTON

The writer is president and CEO of American Humane, a national nonprofit organization.