Just like soldiers, the dogs of war are affected by what they see and hear while serving in the military. Often they are adopted by their handlers but when that’s not possible, many face euthanasia.
An unacceptable end to these lives that gave their all to protect their country and the soldiers that serve alongside them, a champion stepped up to give them a home and help them find an appropriate family to live out the rest of their lives with.
When former Navy Seal, Mike Ritland, learned of the plight of these war dogs, he started the Warrior Dog Foundation. The foundation was created to help these dogs live out the rest of their life in peace and recover from their years of service.
“The Warrior Dog Foundation transitions our country’s working K9s from an operational environment into retirement. Providing mental and physical rehabilitation, and rehoming options to Military Working Dogs (MWD), Contract Working Dogs (CWD) and Law Enforcement K9s that otherwise would be euthanized.”
The Warrior Dog Foundation helps rehabilitate these dogs, provides them with training, a safe environment, and plenty of love and attention with the goal of eventually placing them into forever homes.
Mike Ritland works tirelessly to make sure the dogs are never forgotten. The Warrior Dog Foundation is the “last ditch effort” to save these four legged heroes that are usually suffering from PTSD. Their dedication to the dogs is admirable.
“We bridge the gap between service and retirement for Military Working Dogs (MWD), Contract Working Dogs (CWD) and Law Enforcement K9s (LEO). The retired K9’s at the Warrior Dog Foundation come to us when they are no longer able to continue their working career and have no other retirement options. Retirement can be due to many reasons; physical injury, mental injury (canine PTSD), age, handler retirement, department restructuring, etc. Our goal is to rehabilitate them so that we may place them in their forever home. When that is not possible, we provide a sanctuary of last resort for them to live out their retirement in comfort and with care.”
After years of intense military and police training, the ultimate goal at the Foundation is to teach the dogs how to relax and learn to be a dog again. An accomplishment that begins when a dog reaches the point they can relax in its kennel, roll in the grass, or enjoy chasing a ball again.
The reward is a dog that reaches the point that they are ready to be placed in a home that is willing to work and sacrifice to own and care for one of these retired heroes. So far, they have placed 170 dogs into loving homes.
To get involved, you can donate to the Warrior Dog Foundation or if you can offer an appropriate home, contact them for their adoption requirements. Please share these heroes with your family and friends.
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