Military Dogs Deserve Our Help Too
While 
the Veterans Affordable Housing Program is typically concerned with the well-being of our human servicemen and women, their families, and the veterans of America’s armed forces, we don’t ignore the call for help for any of our military’s members, even the ones with fur.
Currently, Military Working Dogs (MWDs) do not have benefits upon the end of their service, and face a cruel reality of adoption or death. Despite being valuable team assets regarded as equals among their human squads, MWDs are still classified as “equipment,” and are not granted any type of “return to home station” benefits. If an MWD is lucky enough to be adopted at the end of their service to the American military, they must be transported to their new home as a “pet.”
Military experts have estimated that regular MWDs save the life of over 150 soldiers during their deployment, yet receive little or no recognition from military commanders. Air Force Major General Mary Kay Hertog believes it would be a “fraud” and “waste” for the DoD to transport an MWD to their new family, justifying their belief that if it is adopted it is no longer a service member but a pet.
Organizations for MWDs including the US War Dog Association are seeking more rights for these brave dogs, including an amendment to H.R. 5314 (Public Law 106-446, 106th Congress). These changes will classify MWDs as a “MWD Troop/Soldier” and follow-up with their retirement to a “Military K9 Veteran” as opposed to their current status as “Excess Equipment.” This reclassification will allow MWDs to be transported to their retirement home by the DoD. They also are pushing for proper commendations and medals for MWDs, to recognize their exceptional service and dedication to American troops.
Let your congressman or women know today that all of America’s veterans deserve a home.
Helping yourself is the first step in helping American War Dogs, and The Veterans Affordable Housing Program wants to help you have a home. The Veterans Affordable Housing Program was created to help vets in times of need, and is dedicated to helping low and moderate income, disabled, or transitioning veterans and their families find affordable housing in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Washington. We can help you by providing rent relief, down payment assistance, reduced-cost housing, subsidies, and more. Please contact us if you, or somebody you know, is a veteran and is in need of housing assistance. Many of our locations are pet-friendly!
- Improve Retired War Dog Adoption [military.com via capwiz.com]
Helping Veterans with the Veterans Affordable Housing Program…
Affordable Community Living is a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization providing low and moderate income families with quality, affordable housing since 1997 and now offers help to veterans and their families through it’s Veterans Assistance Program.
Learn more about our mission and how we aim to help America’s heroes.
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