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Retired military working dogs are seeking homes

By Madison Sago

GAO, MALI - MARCH 06: A soldier and a dog of the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, search for hidden explosives at car and trucks outside Camp Castor during sunrise on March 6, 2017 in Gao, Mali. The Bundeswehr currently holds three Belgian Shepherds at Camp Castor and supports the Protection Force. U.N.-led MINUSMA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission) troops are assisting the Malian government in its struggle against rebels that include a Tuareg movement (MNLA) and several Islamic armed groups, among them Al-Qaeda, in the north of Mali. Rebels have conducted a series of terror attacks to destabilize the current government in recent years. The Bundeswehr has committed helicopters and 750 soldiers to the MINUSMA mission as well as 147 soldiers to the EUTM mission (European Trainings Mission Mali) to train government troops. In mid-April the Bundeswehr is to deploy four «Tiger«combat helicopter. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)
GAO, MALI - MARCH 06: A soldier and a dog of the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, search for hidden explosives at car and trucks outside Camp Castor during sunrise on March 6, 2017 in Gao, Mali. The Bundeswehr currently holds three Belgian Shepherds at Camp Castor and supports the Protection Force. U.N.-led MINUSMA (United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission) troops are assisting the Malian government in its struggle against rebels that include a Tuareg movement (MNLA) and several Islamic armed groups, among them Al-Qaeda, in the north of Mali. Rebels have conducted a series of terror attacks to destabilize the current government in recent years. The Bundeswehr has committed helicopters and 750 soldiers to the MINUSMA mission as well as 147 soldiers to the EUTM mission (European Trainings Mission Mali) to train government troops. In mid-April the Bundeswehr is to deploy four «Tiger«combat helicopter. (Photo by Alexander Koerner/Getty Images) /
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The Air Force is looking for people to adopt the military working dogs who are often overlooked.

The Air Force has been searching for potential new pet parents to consider adopting one of the many retired military working dogs they have available. These dogs have given their whole lives to serving and are often ignored or overlooked when being considered for adoption.

An article from PawBuzz shares that officials from Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas are “worried over the sharp disinterest” in the many working dogs who have retired from service.

Many of the retired pups end up with their handlers who have been by their side throughout their time working, however, some are available to be adopted by families looking for a new addition to their lives.

PawBuzz also shares that many of these military working dogs are older and could be anywhere from 10 to 12 years old. Most of the breeds of these military working dogs include German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Belgian Malinois, so you know that you’d be getting a dog who would be protective, loyal, and always ready for fun and adventures.

The officials at Lackland Air Force Base also conduct behavioral tests for the dogs to ensure that they are ready for a home:

"Every MWD, when they’re retiring, they do a behavioral test and an adoption test to make sure they’re not going to be food aggressive or bite a small child or chase the mailman down the street,” says MAC Chief Petty Officer Jason Silvis, who works with MWDs at Lackland Air Force Base.We do a wide variety of tests before we decide that the dogs are good to be adopted to the public."

For the retired working dogs at Lackland Air Force Base, there are some requirements laid out for potential adoptive families as well:

"A family has to apply and be interviewed by the military to ensure it will provide for the dog and to answer questions about other pets in the home.A family usually cannot have young children. Unfortunately, most of the dogs aren’t good fits for families with kids under age 5.A family must be willing to travel to San Antonio to get the dog."

While adopting one of these retired military working dogs may not be right for every family, they can be a great fit for anyone looking for a best friend who has given their life to serving!

Lackland encourages others to spread the word and let others know that adopting one of these pups would most certainly change your life and theirs! You’d definitely be getting a dog who would be full of love and looking for a nice and relaxing retirement.

If you live in or around San Antonio and may be interested in adopting any of the retired military working dogs looking for homes you can visit Lackland Air Force Base’s website for info. Maybe it’s time to add a new member to your pack!

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