Supporting our K-9 Heroes – Q2 Update, 2024
An update from our president, Chris Willingham
Our mission to provide practical support to MWDs, their handlers and families, has been in full swing during the second part of this year and we are thrilled to share with you some facts and figures about the kind of care we have provided, by means of your generosity.
Veterinary Care
Take-up of our care programs has continued to grow this quarter, as word spreads about our mission and the kind of help that we provide. From April to June, we received 21 Rx Applications and spent over $35,000 on medications for dogs on the program.
Retired MWD Batka joined our Rx Program in June
Our Emergency Care program also continues to increase in popularity. We are proud to have supported 13 retired MWDs by paying for life-saving treatments, to the tune of $35,727.35. Cases include everything from osteo surgeries to mass removals and we know that our program has alleviated the financial burden from the family of that retired MWD – many of whom are still serving our nation.
Roja received emergency treatment for Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)
We were also proud to provide a custom-made wheelchair to retired MWD Jony, who has been diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy - a progressive spinal condition. Now ten years old, Jony was losing the spring he had always had in his step – even with the medications to help. But with his new wheelchair, his owners said he is running around like a puppy once more. We love to hear it!
Jony is loving his new wheels
Our Rainbow Bridge Assistance program pays the cost of euthanasia and cremation, to ensure beloved retired MWDs receive a dignified end to their life. We supported four families this last quarter, and I know how much this gesture means to them as they come to terms with the loss of their K-9.
You can read the story of US Marine Corps MWD Shadow, who we supported through many of our programs before she made her final journey over the rainbow bridge in May of this year. US War Dogs was honored to support her to the very end of her life.
US War Dogs was proud to support Shadow to the end of her life
Awards and Specialized Gear
Our team has been busy fulfilling specialized gear requests to active duty dog teams to the tune of $12,000 this quarter. Fulfilling these requests means that we are helping with the operational readiness of our nation’s military K-9s, which gives us a huge sense of pride. One such request came in from Kuwait, where we were able to provide harnesses for fast roping and hoisting, along with $2,500 of additional gear to support the teams deployed.
Supporting active duty dog teams in Kuwait with specialized gear
The US War Dogs Service Award is a cherished memento for owners to receive for their MWDs, in recognition of their service and sacrifice. Over the last three months, we have been honored to issue 12 awards, along with a retirement care package which includes a plush dog bed, to make sure our retired MWDs experience all the comfort possible.
Retired MWD Eemily received her US War Dogs Service Award in May
Thank YOU!
As always, we couldn’t continue our vital work without the love and generosity you show to our mission. Whether you purchase swag from the War Dogs Store; sign up to be a War Dogs Guardian or send personal donations or ‘like’ and ‘share’ our content on social media to spread the word, we couldn’t do what we do without you.
So from me and the whole War Dogs team, thank you and K-9 leads the way!
