WAR DOGS CASE STUDIES

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Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan

Born in February 2009, Belgian Malinois Bbutler served with the US Marine Corps as a Patrol Drug Detection Dog from 2010-2021.

Bbutler was born at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas as part of the US Military’s puppy dog program. He was fostered until he started his military training and on qualifying as a military working dog, he deployed to Okinawa, Japan, in 2010, where he worked until his retirement last year.

Bbutler met his adoptive mom, Jenna, when she attended the US Marine Corps’ basic handlers’ course in 2015. Bbutler was Jenna’s first MWD and the pair worked together for two years. “He was very strong and determined, with a huge amount of energy, so he gave me a decent challenge when I was first learning the ropes as a dog handler.

“As we got to know one another though, he and I were completely inseparable. Being out in Japan with no family or means to get out and about meant that he became my family. Spending time with Bbutler was the highlight of my time out there and our bond was completely unbreakable.”

When Jenna left Okinawa in 2017, she posted her request to adopt Bbutler, knowing that he had a number of years of service left to go. She said: “I always hoped that I would get him when the time came, but while COVID caused delays to him coming home to retire, he got really sick with an autoimmune disease and we didn’t think he was going to make it.”

Luckily for Bbutler, Mission K9 Rescue helped to fly him home from Japan and drove him from San Diego to Jenna’s home in Texas. Jenna explains: “I was so happy to have him back with me and honestly, it was like we’d never been away from each other. His health has improved so much since he has been with me – he has such a huge will to live and in spite of his condition, he is pretty healthy for his age.”

Bbutler’s autoimmune disease has been in remission and with the help of frequent vet visits regular medication, provided to Jenna through US War Dogs’ Rx Program and totaling $240 each month. “Thanks to US War Dogs”, Jenna explains, “Bbutler is living out his best days. He loves going to the beach; spending time with his three other dog sisters, playing with his toys and laying on his orthopedic dog bed.

“At 13 years old, he is still very much full of life and the bond between him and me is untouchable. The support that we receive from US War Dogs is so important and lifts the financial burden of providing Bbutler with the care that he needs.”