Although throughout world history there have been loyal "dogs of war" assisting in the
heat of battle, it was not until World War II when the U.S. military implemented our
nation's first canine units. Founded by a civilian organization called Dogs for Defense
this government-run program was officially created on March 13, 1942.
Unofficially called the K-9 Corps, the War Dog Program trained about 11,000 dogs at
a center in Front Royal, Virginia. Dog handlers within the Army Quartermaster Corps
oversaw the program which benefited soldiers on the battlefield. Members of the
canine units, among other duties, helped with sentry duty, scouting missions, and
delivering messages. According to the website Soldiers' Angels: "But perhaps their
greatest contribution is the bond they shared with their handlers, a level of
trust and partnership forged in the most intense environment."
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