Talking War Dogs
Q2, 2025 Update
As we bid farewell to another busy three months, it’s my pleasure to give you a round-up of what we’ve been up to: From support provided to our active duty and retired K-9s, to spreading the good word of War Dogs at events and supporting important fundraising efforts that help us to continue our vital mission… Read all about it, right here!
Supporting our MWDs
Delivering our vital programs of support to our active duty and retired MWDs is at the very heart of what we do. Our team of volunteers help to facilitate life-saving veterinary care through our Emergency Care Program; sign up new dogs to the Rx prescription medications program and much more.
During April, May and June we saw:
- 30 new Rx sign-ups
- Supported 19 dogs through our Emergency Care program, to the tune of $24,000
- Sent out 13 MWD Service Awards, in grateful thanks and recognition for a career of service to our nation
- Supported six families through our Rainbow Bridge Assistance program, covering the cost of euthanasia, cremation and providing personalized urns to the families who wanted them
We also spent in excess of $38,000 on Rx medications over the last quarter, alleviating the financial burden for the families of our retired MWDs and making sure they get the meds they need to stay happy and healthy.
For every person and business who supports our mission, know that you are part of something very special!
EEnoch received urgent cancer treatment through our Emergency Care program
Housekeeping
In line with our obligations as a 501(C)3 non-profit, we completed our annual audit in May, that has been filed to the IRS and will be available to view online very soon. The auditors were impressed with our files and everything passed with flying colors. Even Devil Dogs need to do paperwork!
25th Birthday Support
As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, War Dogs volunteer Ray Myers wanted to play a special part in gifting one family a bespoke fence for their yard, to make sure their retired MWD remains safe and secure. Rochelle and Josh’s application was chosen and Ray made the trip from his home in Michigan to Florida, to complete the build project.
Retired MWD Rider not only loved having former Marine Corps dog handler around the place – but he fully approves of the new installation.
We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Ray for volunteering his time and giving back to our community in this very special way.
Our birthday celebrations also gave us cause to do a very special care package giveaway. We put a callout for 25 dog teams to make contact and request one of our badass birthday packages. Our K-9 brothers and sisters did not disappoint and we sent packages to installations at home and abroad. K-9!
MWD Shakira with her 25th anniversary care package
Spreading the Good Word of War Dogs
We were honored to be invited back to the annual US Army MWD Symposium in Alpena, MI. We took a vendor booth and had the chance to meet and mingle with so many friends, supporters and handlers who have benefited from War Dogs’ help.
The symposium is a feast of K-9 knowledge sharing, practical demonstrations and brotherhood. We recommend anyone who hasn’t to check it out next year.
Our team at the MWD Symposium
We recently teamed up with Marine Corps veteran Rosendo Madrigal’s apparel brand, Dux Exercitum, to take our latest swag line to market on the War Dogs store. The Never Forget - Memorial line features the image designed by military spouse Megan Brenner, depicting a traditional fallen dog handler memorial, with a dog, standing guard. Megan originally created the design to raise funds for Gold Star families back in 2014 but graciously gave her permission for War Dogs to repurpose the design. The line is still available to purchase on the War Dogs Store.
Dogs and Baseball
A contingent of current serving and veteran dog handlers were invited to enjoy an afternoon of hospitality, care of the Baltimore Orioles and RBR Technologies. Retired MPCs Peggy, Dex and Lara joined in the fun, which included a meet and greet on the field with some of the players - Matt Bowman and Keegan Akin. War Dogs team members Aaron Stice, Chuck Rotenberry, Nick Neumann and I accompanied the dog teams. Spending time together in fellowship and brotherhood is always therapeutic and we’d like to thank RBR Technologies and The Orioles Organization for this special opportunity.
Retired MWDs Peggy, Dex and Lara soak up the atmosphere at the Baltimore Orioles game
Feeding the Dawgs
The incredible team at The Dawgs Project have been busy creating special moments of fellowship and food, with four feeds across the last few months. Luciano and his team have toured Joint Base Andrews, Fort Carson and Camp Pendleton, giving the K-9 teams an afternoon of great food and an opportunity to feel the love from an organization dedicated to creating special moments for our active-duty community. The feed at Camp Pendleton fell on Memorial Day weekend, giving an opportunity for gathered Marines and their families to remember and honor their fallen and say the names of those who paid the ultimate price.
Feeding the Dawgs
The team also made the trip up to Alpena, MI, to lay on a feed for the MWD Symposium delegates, which was extremely well attended and delicious – as always!
Fabulous Fundraisers
You’ll never hear me say this enough, but we simply couldn’t continue our vital work without the support of our generous donors and partners that show up for us year after year to make sure we have funds to carry out our mission.
The last quarter has seen some incredible fundraising activity in the name of US War Dogs: Pet Supermarket’s annual Lend a Paw fundraiser supported us once again, with each of their 219 stores across the country collecting donations at cash registers for War Dogs. This year, three of our retired MWDs represented US War Dogs and visited their local stores in Florida, to say thank you to Pet Supermarket’s teams and have a good sniff around.
Our special thanks to Juci, Baco and Chuky and their wonderful families for making the trips out and to all the staff at Pet Supermarket for making this year’s fundraiser possible. The campaign ends on July 6, so there is still time to get involved if you have a store near you. Remember, each $5 donation will be gifted a bag of Open Farm treats!
