The Amazing Working Dog: Highlighting Heroic, Historic & Helpful Canines

 

 Meet these 6 amazing Therapy Dogs—Mishka, Icy, Bellin, Ruby, Gibbs, and Chili—a little further down in my video slideshow!

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Dogs are truly amazing. Their capabilities are far-reaching. They can be a wonderful best friend, companion, and family dog to being a competing sports dog, and they can also be working dogs in a variety of much-needed fields from Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Alert Dogs, Search and Rescue, Military War/Working Dogs, Police Dogs, Fire Dogs, Security Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs, Reading Dogs, Facility Dogs, and so much more.  

"If a dog is a man's best friend, then a working dog is a man’s best helper." ~Heather Ross, A-ZAnimals.com

Many people are aware that the Siberian Husky and their cousin the Alaskan Malamute are working dogs, however, they have historically been excellent heroic dogs serving the military, helping children with grieving and reading, comforting the sick and elderly, supporting veterans with PTSD, and the heroism spans to Sled Dogs like "Balto" and "Togo" who brought much needed medicine to Nome, Alaska during the 1925 diptheria outbreak. There are also dogs who have medical issues themselves, whether it be Canine Epilepsy, coming from an abuse situation, to one literally rescued off of a truck bound for an Asian slaughterhouse and is now a children's Therapy Dog.

Today, we take a look at just some of the jobs of a human's best friend~~the always amazing, selfless, loyal, and heroic D-O-G. (And because FiveSibes is a blog with a focus on northern breed and Epidogs, these are the select working/hero dogs I will mainly be highlighting today).

 

Military War Dogs ~ the Siberian Husky & Alaskan Malamute

Photo from  Warfare History Network

 

Military War Dog Ambassador

A great book about a Military War Dog Ambassador - "Buck" - a Siberian Husky is Buck's Heroes

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Since World War I, canines have played a large part in history. Known as "war dogs," these courageous canines, accompanied by their handlers, have bravely assisted our soldiers in so many ways; from tracking to bomb sniffing. For more interesting facts, videos, documentaries, stamp project information, and much more on the war dogs, visit the United States War Dog Association's website. since we are all about the Siberian Husky, did you know that they were one of the original seven breeds of dogs used as a War Dog during World War II? 

 

 

 Photo by Herson Whitley. Courtesy of Mary Ann Whitley.

 

 "Chips,"  a Husky, German Shepherd, Collie mix, was the first dog to ship overseas as a Military Working Dog in WWII. It was my pleasure to connect to Herson Whitley's daughter, Mary Ann, who gave me permission to use her father's photo above of Chips. He belonged to the Wren Family from Pleasantville, NY. When WWII broke out, U.S. families volunteered their pet dogs into the service as part of the K-9 Corps. Overseas, he trained as a sentry dog and assigned to a Military Police platoon and traveled throughout Europe, and saw fighting in Africa and Sicily. While he served on many missions, he is best known for when he attacked enemy troops who were in a pillbox shelter in Sicily, and even though he was wounded himself, he rushed into the shelter and bravely fought by biting the enemy troops, until they surrendered. Chips even met General Eisenhower! 

 

Book Cover

 

     

 

Chips became the highest decorated war dog and was lauded in newspapers, for receiving the the Silver Star for bravery, and the Purple Heart for being wounded while in service, and the Distinguished Service Cross, but later on those awards were revoked as it was against Army policy to give those prestigious human awards to a canine, who at that time, fell under the title of "equipment." 

 

Chips was unofficially awarded a ribbon by his unit for his service in eight campaigns. Chips was eventually returned to his family in New York. A book was written about him, a comic book starred Chips, and there's even a movie about him! To read more about Chips, see the Defense Media Network Story HERE.   

 

                                      

Beautiful "Buck," the Siberian Husky Military War Dog Ambassador pictured above, while not a War Dog himself, he served as the U.S. War Dog Ambassador journeying thousands of miles with his handler, Vietnam veteran Johnny Mayo, speaking to others about the War Dog. 

Our FiveSibes "Harley
with our copy of the beautiful book, Buck's Heroes

 

 

 

 

Buck was Ambassador until he journeyed North of the Rainbow Bridge in 2006. You can read more about Buck in a beautiful book called Buck's Heroe's written by Mayo, a great read for the holiday.

 

 

According to National Pure Bread Dog Day, "When Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941, America’s inventory of military working dogs consisted of only 90 Siberian Huskies and Malamutes. That two Nordic breeds were the entire “stable” was not a surprise, and certainly not the inclusion of the fastest of the purebred Arctic sled-pulling breeds, the Siberian Husky. The U.S. Army recruited these dogs during World War II to serve in the Arctic Search and Rescue Unit to go where motorized equipment couldn’t go. With the help of Canadians, they also trained the Sibes to jump from planes and bring supplies to downed airmen who’d fallen in isolated locations." 

 

A Salute to Military Huskies & Heroes

 

 

What is the Difference Between Service, SAR, Therapy, Emotional Support, and Alert Dogs?

Now if you're wondering what is the differences between a Service Dog, a Therapy Dog, and an Emotional Support Dog, and there are distinct differences, there is a great article on it by Lisa Dunn in The Farmer's Dog HERE.

 

"While all working dogs perform important roles, there are significant differences between these canines, including important legal distinctions."~Lisa Dunn, The Farmer's Dog

 

Read my very special article begins on Page 10 HERE. While my "Wolfie" was not a Therapy Dog, he was a sweet soul who truly connected with this young girl who had Epilepsy.

Service Dog/Animal Defined by Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

As stated in the ADA National Network, "Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Tasks performed can include, among other things, pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, alerting a person to a sound, reminding a person to take medication, or pressing an elevator button.

Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not service animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA." 

For a more extension information, including Handler's responsibilities and rights, visit the ADA National Network website HERE. 

To download a PDF version "Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals: Where are they allowed and under what conditions?" click HERE.

Heather Ross states in A-Z Dogs, "If a dog is a man‘s best friend, then a working dog is a man’s best helper. A service dog is a type of working dog used for personal assistance, having undergone dog training to perform specialized tasks in a field. Different types of service dogs serve any one of several disabilities or medical conditions. These working dogs are important for helping people function in their daily lives, be more independent with regard to basic tasks, and achieve a better quality of life."

Ross also goes on to explain that there are "9 types of Service Dogs":

1. Guide Dog
2. Hearing Assistance Dog
3. Mobility Assistance Dog
4. Seizure Response & Seizure Alert
5. Diabetic Alert
6. Medical Service Dog
7. Allergy Detection
8. Psychiatric Service Dog
9. Autism Support Dog 

 

 Let's Meet  Some Amazing Special Friends

Therapy Dogs—Past, Present & Future... 

 

Here is our new special #FiveSibes new video short featuring a few of the amazing Therapy Dogs (past, present & in-training) we have come know and admire, including two who just happened to have Canine Epilepsy that does not keep them from doing their important jobs. Simply put,  Dogs Are Amazing.

 

To read my article on the life and legacy of an amazing Siberian Husky that is an incredible abuse-to-rescue-to Therapy Dog story "Hurt to Healing" about "Bellin," please go HERE. It's a story that is so inspiring of how a horribly abused and hurt barely recognizable Siberian Husky was saved and then adopted into a loving home and went on to become an amazing, loving K9 therapist; specializing in helping children who are grieving as a Therapy Dog through the AKC recognized organization, Pet Partners. 

"Creating Bonds: Bellin, the Pet Partners Therapy Dog"

 

 

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), "Therapy Dog is an AKC program which recognizes the necessary therapy work performed by dogs through accepted organizations based on the number of visits. Therapy work involves volunteers who schedule visits to various facilities and locations such a nursing homes, classrooms, libraries, assisted living centers, hospices, funeral homes, schools, shelters even courtrooms." The AKC notes that if you are thinking about having your dog become a Therapy Dog, "the first step to enrolling in the program is to have your dog trained and certified by a qualified therapy dog organization." To find an approved organization, check their listings HERE.

And another incredible rescue story is that of "Ichabod," of an Alaskan Malmute who was saved from a truck while en route to an Asian slaughterhouse and thanks to No Dog Left Behind,  and Ichabod, who is disabled, has a forever home and job as a Therapy Dog through the AKC recognized Therapy Dog organization, Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Read Ichabod's story in Hometown Life HERE.

 

 

"The first step to enrolling in the (Therapy Dog) program is to have your dog trained and certified by a qualified therapy dog organization."~American Kennel Club

To learn more about the AKC Therapy Dog program, how to get started with enrollment, and their list of approved organizations, visit HERE.

Epilepsy Warriors Working as Therapy Dogs

 

"Ruby" and "Gibbs" above—both "Epi-Dogs" AND  registered Therapy Dogspose together.  These two amazing working dogs show how having Canine Epilepsy does not stop them from a successful career as Therapy Dogs loaning their paws to help others. Read Ruby's story HERE and Gibbs' story HERE.

 

Above, meet "Sam," "Elsa," and "Norman" in Tails Around the Ranch...where their hu-mom, Monika, writes about their adventures in Pet Therapy, even with Canine Epilepsy. Read all about them HERE.

Above, meet "Jackie," as her hu-mom and handler Lorraine Trapani tells us, “Jackie was born to be a guide dog to a visually impaired person and was sponsored by IBM as the ambassador for a project between Guiding Eyes for the Blind, North Carolina State University, and IBM to help pair more guide dogs with those who need them.”  Being diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy meant Jackie could no longer be in the Guiding Eyes for the Blind program, so Lorraine adopted her and she became the Ambassador for Guiding Eyes and the Mascot for Neurodiversity at IBM. Read Jackie's story HERE.

These amazing Epi-dogs prove that having seizures do not stop them from living life and working in a field they love...helping others!

 

 Service Dogs

 

"To Be of Service"

 Wow. This film is now out (trailer below was prior to release) and is a documentary "about veterans suffering from PTSD who are paired with a Service Dog to help them regain their lives. The film follows these warriors with their dogs as this deeply bonded friendship restores independence and feeling for the men and women who so courageously served our country."

 A. MUST. SEE.DOCUMENTARY. Click on the image above to go to the ways you can rent/purchase this documentary. Currently, it's free for Prime subscribers.

 

Search And Rescue (SAR) Dogs

"Dogs are specially equipped to be rescuers and can hone in on a lost person with their amazing sense of smell. With noses that far surpass ours, dogs have more than 100 million sensory receptor sites in the nasal cavity, as compared to 6 million in people. Moreover, the area of the canine brain devoted to analyzing odors is about 40 times larger than the comparable part of the human brain. In fact, it has been estimated that dogs can smell anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 times better than people. Dogs simply have a 'nose' for rescue work," writes Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH; Lynn Buzhardt, DVM in VCA Animals

"It has been estimated that dogs can smell anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 times better than people." ~Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH; Lynn Buzhardt, DVM in VCA Animals

 

To read the full, excellent article on Search and Rescue (SAR) dogs on VCA Animals written by Malcolm Weir, DVM, MSc, MPH; Lynn Buzhardt, DVM, visit HERE.

  

 

Facility Dogs

"Facility Dogs are expertly trained dogs who partner with a facilitator and work in a healthcare, visitation, or education setting," states Canine Companions®. They list the following as "examples of settings in which facility dogs can  assist include:"

• Occupation, speech, and physical therapy

• Special Education settings

• Child Life Specialists

• Criminal justice placements such as child advocacy, forensic interviewers

 

Are Dogs the Future Assistant in Healthcare?

We already know how powerful a dog's nose is. That nose can assist humans in so many ways to help. Dogs in Service help tremendously with medical challenges. What about helping even more in healthcare? Dogs have been known to detect medical conditions and diseases due to their keen sense of smell, even the most recent COVID-19. 

 

According to Treehugger.com, "There are dogs who have sniffed out medical issues that even doctors weren't aware of. Dogs can pick up on tiny changes in the human body, from a small shift in our hormones to the release of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, released by cancer cells." 

Could the next physician's assistant be a canine? One day quite possibly, and I for one, would welcome it.

Historic Hero Sled Dogs

And about those Sled Dog Heroes..."Togo" and "Balto." 

You can read the AKC story about "Togo" and the Race to Nome in 1925 HERE.

 

"Togo" ~ hero sled dog of 1925 Race to Nome ~ Photo from Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum.

 

Watch the "Togo" Story Here  

 

 

Watch the "Balto Documentary" Film Here:

 

 

 

 

A Different Kind of Hero Dog~Epilepsy Warrior

 

My Gibson was a hero dog of a different type. He was not certified, but if you asked anyone he met, he was indeed an inspirational dog who had idiopathic Epilepsy and was the face of our FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness & #Paws4Purple with Purple Day®Every Day/The Anita Kaufmann Foundation. Gibson showed everyone that Epilepsy never stopped him from loving life and he even met up with a wonderful gal who has Epilepsy, and we spent a wonderful afternoon together. Both dogs and people who have Epilepsy, are heroes in my book, right along with the others. Wherever Gibson went, he certainly did make folks feel happiness and love. Had I known about Therapy Dogs at that time, I would have definitely enrolled him. He also inspired me to author the award-winning books the FiveSibes children's tale What's Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy and EPIc Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living and Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy.  

 

"#LiveGibStrong: FiveSibes Meet New Friends"

Gibson, a dog living with Epilepsy, Meets Frankie, a girl living with Epilepsy

 

Movie Films...

Get the popcorn, here's some great movies to watch about dogs who have served. (Have tissues handy). "To Be of Service" is, according to IMBD, " a documentary film about veterans with PTSD who find that, after other treatments fall short, a service dog helps them return to an independent-feeling life."

 

"Max." Our #FiveSibes, particularly Wolfie pictured here, enjoyed watching this movie with me. Max was a Malinois, and a Hero Dog. You can read my review on this movie from when it came out HERE.

 

 TO WATCH "MAX" VISIT HERE

 

"Megan Leavey" is based on the true life story of a young Marine Corporal (Megan Leavey) "whose unique discipline and bond with her military combat dog, "Rex," saved many lives during their deployment in Iraq. Over the course of their service, they completed more than 100 missions until an IED explosion injures them, putting their fate in jeopardy."

 TO WATCH "MEGAN LEAVEY" VISIT HERE

"Dog" While this movie is described as a "comedy" I don't think it is. More like a "dramedy" - there are definite amusing parts, but the story is about two hard-charging former Army Rangers paired against their will - Briggs and a Belgian Malinois named "Lulu" - as they hit the ...no spoilers here, but...THE BEST ENDING...in my opinion. Click below to read more about it and the ways of watching it.

 

TO WATCH "DOG" VISIT HERE

Each one of these working dogs--including some with special needs themselves--brings so much to humans, whether they are working at search and rescue; assisting with police, fire, and military work; performing guard dog duties; sniffing out medical issues; alerting their humans to seizures; cheering up the sick and elderly, giving children confidence for reading or helping them with grief; supporting soldiers with PTSD; comforting people with anxiety and fear; and so much more.

We here at FiveSibes, will always honor Hero Dogs who work in so many fields.

 

 

Did You Know...? 

 

While everyday we recognize these amazing canines for the work they do and important services they provide, the first week in August is International Assistance Dog Week to honor these dogs.

 

To all the incredible working dogs out there, a heartfelt...

 

 

 

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THANK YOU.

 

~Dorothy Wills-Raftery, Author

 

 

  Be sure to visit our blog home page MENU for #LiveGibStrong Online K9 Epilepsy Resource Library for more info on seizures and Canine Epilepsy, as well as much more info on Siberian Huskies, rescues, Lost & Found listings, and much more.