Meet Our Veterinary Partner – Red Bank
US War Dogs’ Specialized Care Program has helped scores of retired MWDs to receive life-saving care through our partner veterinary hospital, Red Bank. Not only does Red Bank provide their expertise free of charge to all US War Dogs clients who meet the criteria for the program, but their team is passionately committed to supporting retired military K-9s.
This article shines a spotlight on this incredible organization that we are so lucky to have as our partner and meets some of the members of staff on the ground that help to deliver this program to our retired MWDs.
War Dogs – In the Beginning
When US War Dogs was established in 2000, the mission was clear: to raise money for a permanent memorial that would raise the status of K-9 with the public and honor the service of dog teams past, present and future.
But as the US went to war following the unspeakable events of September 11, 2001, K-9 was called upon for a new and ever-diversifying mission. A mission that deserved the unending support of US War Dogs. Support for dog teams deploying to the Middle East was swiftly mobilized, with the sending of care packages that provided vital kit and a taste of home to the young handlers and their dogs.
As the war raged on, dog teams returned home and dogs were retiring out of military service, battle worn and tired, just like their handlers. But with no access to health services from the VA or the DoD, the handlers and adoptive families of these K-9 war heroes were bearing the financial burden of taking care of MWDs who had seen conflict. Following conversations with handlers and kennel masters about the plight of retired MWDs, US War Dogs began new programs to support these heroes.
The Rx Program was launched to cover the costs of prescription medication for any retired MWD who had been assigned a permanent duty station. Other programs followed, but one of the most significant came on Veterans Day in 2014, when US War Dogs partnered with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey, to offer specialized veterinary care to retired MWDs.
Former COO of Red Bank, John Payne, helped to bring the program into being. “I was from a military family, so it always felt important to me, to give back to the veteran community”, explains John. “It was in my role as director of the American Humane Society that the conversations with US War Dogs began. I wanted Red Bank to offer pro bono care to MWDs and with US War Dogs able to provide the checks and balances to make sure the help got to where it was most needed, the Specialized Care Program was born.”
“The whole Red Bank team is completely invested in this mission”, explains fellow co-founder and veterinarian, Dr Tom Trotter. “The dogs that we have treated have given their best to serving our country, so it really is the least we can do for them. What is always special though, is witnessing that bond between dog and handler – they have pulled one another through the toughest conditions and circumstances, so when it comes to entrusting that dog’s care to us, we take the responsibility very seriously indeed.”
Over the past eight years, Red Bank has treated dozens of retired MWDs that have been referred to them through US War Dogs. Their 60,000sq ft centre in Tinton Falls, NJ, plays host to a team of over 300 members of staff and the highest calibre veterinary technologies to help animals with a huge breadth of health issues.
Dr Garret Davies is one of Red Bank’s resident surgeons and has operated on numerous MWDs. “Prolonging and enhancing quality of life is the name of the game but the wight of responsibility we feel when operating on a retired military dog never lessens in its intensity.
“I want the whole hospital to know that we are in the presence of a national hero so I have a piece of military marching music played over the intercom system. It’s my own salute to the dog before I operate and it has become my tradition. The rest of the staff love it too because it lets them know that we have an MWD in the house.”
General Practitioner Dr Tom Hart, spends a lot of his time working with working dogs from all branches of service. “I am a veterinarian that also really loves people, so when I work with dogs who save lives for a living, it gives me a huge amount of satisfaction.
“The bond that exists between handlers and their dogs – whether they be from the police, search and rescue or military – is a humbling sight to behold. They are truly in tune and reliant on one another. It places an added sense of gravity to my job.”
The joy and enthusiasm for providing this service to MWDs bleeds into every facet of Red Bank. “It is my favorite part of the job”, explains client services manager, Carol Olea. “Our hearts have been stolen over and over again by the dogs that we’ve treated and the loving handlers and adopted owners that we have come to know so well. Some of the treatments we have given have meant that the dogs stay with us for weeks on end, so the bond we make with the owners becomes very special indeed.”
One such example of a dog who took a very special place in the hearts of the Redbank team, was retired US Army Ranger multi-purpose canine, Kay.
Kay joined US War Dogs’ Rx Program in 2019 to help owner Travis with the rising cost of his prescription medication. Travis explains: “We were so grateful to be receiving help from US War Dogs for Kay’s meds, but when his health took a turn, I reached out to the organization to see if they could help.”
Kay had served for seven years with the US Army Rangers, deploying four times to the Middle East and saving countless lives, including that of his handler, Travis, in the process. Kay was trained in bite work, tracking, and detection of explosives and personal electronic devices, such as sim cards and mobile phones.
When Kay started suffering with perianal masses, Travis immediately took him to a local vet in Maryland for examination. “I was prepared to remortgage my house to pay for Kay’s care – he had saved my life on numerous occasions while we served together so it was the least I could do in return.”
A local vet examined Kay but Travis didn’t get a good feeling about the situation. “I wanted Kay to receive the absolute best care but something was off, so I called US War Dogs to see if they could help.”
Kay was eligible for the Specialized Care Program and was referred straight to Red Bank for diagnostics and treatment.
Kay and Travis made the four-hour journey from their home in Maryland to Tinton Falls, New Jersey. “It was a worrying time for us – we were at the height of the pandemic so the whole experience of taking Kay to the vets was different. Plus, by this point, he was 14 and I was really concerned about putting him through the treatment plan but the incredible team at Red Bank did nothing but reassure me and put me at ease, in spite of the obvious challenges and difference in their usual delivery of service caused by COVID.”
Dr Garret Davies operated to remove Kay’s mass and the surgery was a success and gave Kay more time to enjoy his well-deserved retirement with Travis. Seven months later though, a second mass was detected that would need more extensive treatment. Kay received specialized radiation treatment, chemotherapy, and critical care for several months. Despite best efforts by the team at Redbank, Kay succumbed to his illness and passed away on September 15, 2021, at the age of 16.5.
“The treatment had given Kay more time. Time to enjoy his life of luxury at home with me and my family. Kay died three months after my son was born – I’d like to believe he held on to see me become a dad, so he knew I’d be ok.”
“Kay and Travis really captured our hearts”, explains Carol Olea. “We all spent a great deal of time with them and got to learn about their service together. Kay was a very special dog. His eyes were so expressive – you could almost read what he was thinking. We all sobbed when he died. For Travis and for Kay. Their bond was immeasurable – the kind of bond you only see between a dog and his handler, who have been through the toughest times together.”
Kay’s story provides just one example of how the team at Red Bank have devoted themselves to providing unbridled care to MWDs through US War Dogs. “We are immensely fortunate and proud to have Red Bank on board as our veterinary partner”, comments US War Dogs president, Chris Willingham. “The team is one of a kind and their passion is truly infectious. Our aim is to provide a lifetime of practical support to MWDs and in doing so, we support both ends of the leash. Red Bank’s work makes our aims and vision a reality. I can’t thank them enough for what they do for the K-9 community.”
