Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Information On Military Working Dogs

By Lisa Morris


Primarily tasked with the responsibility of fishing out hidden bombs, fire arms and drugs, these are well trained dogs that also ensure that their human counterparts safely get out of dangerous warzones. Additionally, these member of the military similarly would at times be required to take down an identified human target. Since the early 120BCs, military working dogs have been widely utilized in the field of war. However, their functions have continuously become increasingly sophisticated over time. These animals are chosen for such roles due to their athletic build, sharp smell senses, loyalty and their quick abilities to grasp detailed teachings.

German shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Retrievers are among the breeds that are mostly utilized in the battlefield. In most cases, such specifically breed normally are acquired from Germany and Netherlands. It is required of them to undergo combat training; this so as to heighten its ability to pick up scents and to toughen up its bite grip.

This kind of training usually is provided by specialized military establishments and usually conducted by special dog handlers who similarly undergo specific training before handling the dogs. In most cases a standard sixty to ninety day training routine is subjected to them prior to becoming full members of the military force. An area of specialty is chosen for each dog. This being from the provided areas as bomb detection, drug detection and personnel protection. Furthermore, each dog gets an identity through a name.

In the 21st century, technology makes better equipment even for these dogs, as they get to wear advanced gear that confers upon them parachuting abilities and the ability to listen in on their handlers. Additionally, such gear plays an important role of protecting these animal workers from external assaults. Dogs as Cairo, have played important roles in the military field, most notable the taking down of Osama bin laden.

Nonetheless, these members of the military in most cases after repeated battlefield experiences, get to suffer post-traumatic stress. Most dogs suffering such mental disorders depict symptoms as, withdrawal, frantic attempts to run or wander away, increased vigilance even when in safe environments, drastic changes in the pre-existing relationship with the handler and an inability to conduct the activities for which the dog were trained to perform.

Adoption programs ensure that they peacefully retire after serving their nation. Such programs would have the staff frequently visit the veterans and similarly extract reports of their current wellbeing. Better still, these programs ensure that those disabled in battle get extra-special attention throughout their staying with the adopters.

Lengthy and respectful memorial services normally are set up for them that got killed in action. Similarly, for those that survived the rigors of battle and still managed to pull off a few heroic acts, get to be awarded with the so important PDSN Dickin medal. Which ultimately tells of how important these military personnel are. A most recent ceremony held at the Capitol Hill awarded four soldiers with such medals.

Conclusively, it would be right to state that they are not simple equipment to be used in battle, but are important companions to their human counterparts and deserve their earned respect. This in the light that their loyalty to humans survives the terrors of warfare as seen from scenarios where a dog stands by its handler even under terrifying warfare.




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