An american flag is flying in a field at sunset.

War Dogs Turns 25!

As our big birthday year fast approaches, we have some very special dates for your calendar in 2025, as we look forward to celebrating our quarter-century in epic style.

October 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of when US War Dogs Association became a legal entity to support the K-9 community. Our growth and evolution over the last two and a half decades to provide this community with what it needs, is something we are extremely proud of and, to celebrate, we are planning a year-long celebration that will culminate in a very special week of activity.

 

US War Dogs K-9 Legacy Training Package


From 13-16 October inclusive, we are giving 25 military dog teams the chance to undergo a training package that will aim to impart elite knowledge from some of the best K-9 trainers in the US.


The training package will take place in San Antonio, TX, and cover everything from enhanced detection, apprehension and transitional work and will equip teams with enhanced knowledge to aid operational readiness.


The spaces will be allocated evenly between all branches of military service, with a maximum of two dog teams per installation offered. Kennel masters and trainers will also be given the opportunity to attend and the course will earn you professional credits, with travel and accommodation covered as part of the military’s standard professional development protocols.


Applications will open soon so keep an eye on our social media channels and email comms for more information.

 

Celebrating US War Dogs – Past, Present and Future


We’re inviting anyone who has supported or benefitted from War Dogs’ care to come along to a very special event on 18 October, to celebrate our birthday and look back at what this incredible organization has achieved.


Venue details and timings are still to be announced, so stay tuned for more information via our emails and social channels. It’s going to be an incredible day so note it in your calendars as we would love to see you there!

 

Our team is working hard to nail down all the details but in the meantime, note these dates in your diary and be ready to register your interest, very soon!

 

Celebrating By Showing We Care…


We wanted to do something special for our retired MWDs during our birthday year so in a few short days, we’ll be announcing details of a brand-new care program that will give current-serving or former military personnel who have retired an MWD, the chance to access almost £1,000 worth of preventive treatments for your dog. Funded by US War Dogs, this special year-long program will run for our entire birthday year of 2025 and will give us the chance to spread some additional support to our K-9 community.


More information on this unique opportunity will be announced on 1 October, so stay tuned to all War Dogs channels to learn more!



Thank you and K-9 leads the way!

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US War Dogs’ Org Update – Q3, 2025

October 4, 2025
US War Dogs’ Org Update – Q3, 2025 As is our custom, War Dogs president Chris Willingham has penned an overview of what the organization has been up to over the summer months. As always, it’s been a busy one, so strap in and let’s get into it… What’s going on, K-9 fam?! I hope you have all had a great summer and feel ready to enjoy some cooler temperatures as we move into the fall. The team and I have been grinding and doing our thing to support K-9s – active and retired, while supporting the wider community by attending events and spreading the good word of US War Dogs. War Dogs Support  We were honored to welcome 41 new retired MWDs to our Rx Program and take care of over $34,799 worth of medications. Our Specialized Care program has evolved to cover the cost of certain long term treatments for RMWDs and Emergency Care program, which covers the cost of surgeries and emergency treatment, has continued to gather pace too: We covered $44,690 of treatments for 19 retired dogs across these two key programs, during the quarter. These initiatives are making a real difference to the lives of retired K-9s and their adopted families – we absolutely love hearing all the positive feedback about the programs and feel truly honored that we can play a practical role in caring for our K-9 heroes.

Making a Stand for K-9

October 4, 2025
Making a Stand for K-9 When second year law student Robert Finkbeiner was drafted to join the war effort in Vietnam, he had no idea what was in store for him and the impact that his combat deployment would have on the rest of his life. US War Dogs was honored to speak to Robert about his service and how he used his unique skillset in fierce defence of military K-9s, whose sad plight we know all-too well. Robert’s son David, reached out to us to feature his dad’s story – we are so grateful for the chance to share his experiences.

In Conversation With… US Army Veterinarian, Jim Giles

July 2, 2025
In Conversation With… US Army Veterinarian, Jim Giles The K-9 community is blessed to have a richness and diversity of the skillsets within it – and this is something that we at US War Dogs is always keen to spotlight. In this interview, we were honored to chat with former US Army Veterinarian, Jim Giles, about his career that spanned the height of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Jim helps us to peer behind the surgical curtain of what life was truly like for the professionals who were charged with saving our injured MWDs in military theater. He also introduces us to one of the MWDs whose story he is honored to be part of.