US War Dogs’ 25th Birthday Celebrations: Full Circle Moments
Gathering members of the K-9 family together to celebrate our 25th anniversary was a much-anticipated moment that was almost two years in the planning. Coming together in San Antonio, TX – the home of the puppy program and the place where many dog handlers hold memories as part of their career – felt like the perfect meeting point and a true full circle moment for many of the handlers present: Active and veteran.
The program’s aim was to tell the story of US War Dogs right from the beginning, so it was only right that our founding president, Ron Aiello, opened the program and welcomed everyone to this momentous occasion.
Ron recounted how he and five fellow Vietnam veterans were moved to action, years after returning home from a war where their K-9 companions were treated very differently. With a desire to raise profile about the incredible skills of the dogs and a need to honor K-9 teams – past, present and future – including the five handlers’ own MWDs – US War Dogs Association was born.
US War Dogs founding president, Ron Aiello and his MWD Stormy
The Association’s first task was to raise funds for a monument that honors K-9 and helps to raise the status of MWDs – which had been so badly lacking during the founding board’s era of service.
The United States War Dogs Association MWD Memorial was dedicated in New Jersey in 2006 – six years after the formation of the organization. But as the world changed around them, the mission of US War Dogs pivoted to provide practical help to the K-9 community, whose skills were required once more.
Click to watch Ron’s opening remarks at our 25th anniversary celebrations:
