American Humane Association Urges Senate To Pass 2016 National Defense Authorization Act With Provisions To Return Military Dogs To U.S. Soil, Reunite Them With Handlers

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following bipartisan passage in the House of Representatives, American Humane Association today calls on the Senate to swiftly pass the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with language supported by American Humane Association that would clinch a major victory for military dogs everywhere. The amendment, introduced in the House by Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) and the Senate by Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), mandates that America's heroic military working dogs will be returned to U.S. soil upon retirement, and that their human handlers and their families – to whom these dogs mean more than anyone else – will be given first right of adoption. It is estimated that each military dog saves the lives of between 150-200 servicemen and women by detecting IEDs and hidden weapons caches.

Despite the remarkable efforts of the U.S. Air Force, which has worked hard to bring back most war dogs, too many of our four-footed veterans are left behind on foreign soil and never again see their human Battle Buddies with whom they went through so much. The problem is that if dogs are retired overseas, they become civilians and are no longer qualified to travel home on military vehicles – creating an often insurmountable barrier to getting them home to the ones who care for them most. Over the past year, American Humane Association has privately funded the transportation home of 21 military working dogs and contract working dogs and helped reunite them with their former human handlers. In July, American Humane Association held a congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to shed light on the need to bring home all our veterans and press for long-overdue changes to the NDAA.

"This would be momentous for all veterans," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association president and CEO. "Thank you to Congressman LoBiondo and Senator McCaskill for championing military dogs and their handlers. The Senate must act now and pass the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act with the language we support so our brave K-9 Battle Buddy teams will benefit from a humane retirement at home."

Lifesaving Work Continues at Home

For some of our brave servicemen and women, the return home from war is not the end of the battle.

Every year thousands of our nation's veterans are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress, and easing back into society is difficult or even terrifying.  Reuniting handlers and war dogs (who themselves can suffer from PTS) helps both heal. In this way the bond between veterans that saved lives on the battlefield now saves lives at home.

A happy – and healthy – retirement for America's military hero dogs

The passage of the 2016 NDAA would be the second major victory for military dogs in the past year accomplished with the help of American Humane Association. In its July briefing, the organization called on the private sector to provide veterinary care for all retired military dogs. On Veterans Day 2014, American Humane Association and the United States War Dogs Association announced an arrangement with New Jersey's Red Bank Veterinary Hospital to provide free specialized veterinary care to all retired canine veterans.

With their repatriation, handler adoption and specialized health care now assured, Dr. Ganzert declared, "This is vital for military heroes on both ends of the leash. We believe ALL our veterans – two-footed and four-footed – should come back to a hero's welcome, a loving, forever home, and the happy, healthy, and dignified retirement they so deserve after a lifetime of service to their country."

To learn more about American Humane Association please visit www.AmericanHumane.org. 

About American Humane Association

American Humane Association is the country's first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

SOURCE American Humane Association

Related Links

http://www.americanhumane.org

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