Retired but Not Forgotten: Nonprofits Giving K9 Veterans Second Chances

Today, the U.S. Army celebrates 83 years of man’s best friend serving side-by-side its soldiers. March 13 marks National K9 Veterans Day, an observance set to recognize the service and sacrifice of our four-legged who have served.

But to truly pay our respects to these unsung heroes, it’s important to understand their unique challenges on the battlefield and in retirement.

Got Your Six

Men and women serving in the U.S. military receive various benefits to assist their transition back to civilian life. For example, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers healthcare for retired military personnel, including medical and mental support as well as disability compensation for those with service-related injuries. Additionally, the GI Bill provides funding for veterans and their families to pursue higher education, career and vocational training, and other occupational support. Human veterans also have access to home loans and housing assistance programs through the VA.

It's through benefits like these that the U.S. government thanks its retired military heroes for their service and sacrifice. However, you may be surprised to hear that military working dogs, or MWDs, don’t receive a fraction of this support in their retirement—in fact, these four-legged veterans are more or less left for dead.

“For years, military working dogs were classified as ‘equipment,’ often left overseas or disposed of after their service.” — American Humane Society

K9s on the Frontlines

German shepherds and Belgian Malinoises are two of the most prevalent breeds found in the U.S. military today, but several other breeds—including bloodhounds, Labrador retrievers, border collies, and even standard poodles have been enlisted to serve in a variety of roles, from combat and protection to rescue and threat detection.

Approximately 13% of MWDs are born and bred directly into service through the Department of Defense (DOD) Military Working Dog Breeding Program, also aptly called the Puppy Program. This program contracts professional breeders across the country to train between 50 and 90 Belgian Malinoises each year at the 341^st Training Squadron at Joint Base in San Antonio. 

Many of these canines are trained to be lean, mean fighting machines. But because of the specialized training these pups receive and the traumas they face in service, roughly 40% will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To put this in perspective, a 2024 study by the VA showed around 7% of human veterans will develop PTSD at some point in their lives.

Several factors make MWDs difficult to rehome in retirement, including high rates of PTSD, behavioral qualities like aggression and a high sense of drive, as well as their likelihood to develop medical complications and injuries. Despite the integral roles MWDs play on the battlefield and base, these barriers and a general lack of resources to support retired MWDs lead to many of them being euthanized. 

No Dog Left Behind

Fortunately, several nonprofit organizations exist to give these dogs a fighting chance in retirement.

In a previous episode of the Barking Mad podcast, Dr. Stephanie Clark and I spoke with Bob Bryant, co-founder and vice president of Mission K9 Rescue, an organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming retired MWDs.

The organization not only works to rehabilitate or recondition these dogs to help them adjust to home life but also funds rescues of these pups from bases overseas—something the U.S. government has historically dropped the ball on. Mission K9 also reunites MWDs with their former handlers whenever possible, making for many emotional and redeeming reunions. 

According to Bryant, the organization has rescued more than 1,300 MWDs from overseas, 675 of which were reunited with the handlers with which they served. Mission K9 also funds veterinary care for these oft-distraught dogs to the tune of more than $2 million over the last decade.

The Ddamien Project is another noteworthy nonprofit dedicated to giving particularly traumatized MWDs a forever home in retirement. By providing specialized training and therapeutic care, the organization helps these working dogs transition to civilian life while advocating for their long-term well-being.

Several other entities provide similar support, such as: 

• The American Humane Society helps reunite retired MWDs with their former handlers through its Military Working Dog Reunification program. They cover transportation costs to bring these dogs home, medical care to ensure their health and well-being, and facilitate reunions with the humans they trust most.
• Paws of Honor, a nonprofit providing free veterinary services for retired MWDs and law enforcement canines. This includes emergency care, surgeries, medications, and preventive care.
• Warrior Dog Foundation, which is similar to The Ddamien Project in that it provides a safe, structured environment for retired MWDs to live out the rest of their lives. This organization was founded by a former Navy SEAL and focuses on Special Ops K9s and retired MWDs that would otherwise be classified as unadoptable due to behavioral issues or medical challenges.
• U.S. War Dogs Association, which provides medical assistance, adoption services, and educational outreach for MWDs both during and after their service. Founded in 2000 by five Vietnam veterans and former military K9 handlers, the association also helps transport MWDs back to the States once they are decommissioned.

Honoring Our K9 Veterans

Without the tireless efforts of organizations like Mission K9 Rescue, The Ddamien Project, and others, many retired MWDs would have nowhere to go. The work these nonprofits do is nothing short of life-changing, not only for the dogs themselves but also for former handlers who have the opportunity to reunite with their battle buddies.

While the U.S. government may often fall short in providing adequate support for K9 veterans, these organizations have stepped up to ensure that every MWD has a chance at a peaceful, dignified retirement. Because after a lifetime of service, these four-legged warriors deserve more than just a salute—they deserve a loving and comfortable future.

If you’d like to learn more about the inspiring work Mission K9 is doing to support retired MWDs, check out this previous episode of Barking Mad. And as we celebrate K9 Veterans Day today, let’s not just honor these heroes in words, thoughts, and prayers—let’s instead take action. Whether through spreading awareness or donating to support these organizations, every effort to ensure no dog is left behind is a valiant one.

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About the Author

Jordan Tyler is the Director of Media at BSM Partners. She has more than five years of experience reporting on trends, best practices and developments in the North American pet nutrition industry. Jordan resides in Bentonville, Arkansas, with her husband and their four furry family members.