March 12, 2010

Military Working Dogs - Canines Who Help Our Soldiers

Do you know about the military working dogs who have helped soldiers fight wars since World War I? For many of the wars we have fought, American families have donated their dogs to the military to aid our troops during wartime. Dogs, along with their human handlers are working in Iraq and Afghanistan right now performing a variety of tasks such as scouting, tracking, and even mine detection in order to save lives. Susan's guest this week, is Ron Aiello of the United States War Dogs Association and he will tell us the stories of these brave canine companions that serve our country.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. War Dogs Association

Episode Segments:

Wild About Pets: The United States War Dogs Ron Aiello tells Susan about how dogs first got involved in the military back in World War War I, and how they were subsequently used in World War II and Vietnam. Rich also has some amazing stories about these military dogs, including his own canine partner, Stormy.
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Wild About Pets: War Dogs in Our Current Conflicts Ron explains why dogs were not ready to serve at the beginning of the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan, and how they are being used over there presently. He also talks about the bond that forms between dog & handler, and what happens to these brave animals once their service is over.
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Wild About Pets: Indy Dog & Disc Club Rick Kimball talks about his high-flying, disc catching dogs, and what we’ll see when they perform at the upcoming Chicagoland Family Pet Expo. Learn how he trained his dogs to soar, and how you can teach your dogs how to do it too!
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Links to Related Websites:

United States War Dogs Association Their training is intense; their working conditions are deplorable; their lives are always on the line. This profile describes the most innocent and vulnerable of combat veterans: our Nation's War Dogs.

Look While You Listen! Click here to view the photos Susan and her guest are discussing.

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Ron Aiello Ron Aiello is the president of the US War Dogs Association Inc., a non -profit organization made up of former and current Military Dog handlers and supporting members across the USA . As president of US War Dogs Association I am responsible for daily operations: care packages being sent over to the Military Working Dog Teams serving in the Middle East, trying to establish a commemorative War Dog Stamp to honor Military Dogs, and responding to requests for information on War Dogs etc. I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1964. In 1965 I volunteered for dog training school to become a Military Dog Handler while I was stationed at Camp LeJune, NC. In 1966 I was deployed to Vietnam with my dog Stormy. We were part of the 1st. Marine Scout Dog Platoon, the first to be deployed to Vietnam. Knowing that when I graduated from Dog Training school, I would be sent to Vietnam with my dog Stormy, I couldn't think of a better way - than by going to Vietnam with a dog by my side. It was a good choice. U.S. War Dogs Association Website

Rick Kimball Rick Kimball has been the President of the Indy Dog & Disc Club since January 2010. He is 53 years old and lives in Fishers, Indiana with his wife Mary Jo and their 5 dogs. We have 2 Australian Shepherds (Dugan and Dreamer), a Border Collie (Rudy), a Chocolate Lab(Murphy Brown), and a Jack Russell Terrier (Key Dog). My wife and I are the owner/operators of Runamuk Disc Dogs performing disc dogs. I have been disc dogging since 2001. My dog Dugan and I are the 2007 International Disc Dog Handlers Association Single Disc World Champions. We are also the 2008 and 2009 Indiana Sates Overall Champions and 2008 and 2009 UFO World Cup World Finals Qualifiers. Dugan is 4 years old. In real life I work for a hydronic and steam heating equipment distributer as an inside sales customer service representative. Indy Dog And Disc Club Website

Here is a video teaching you basic frisbee throwing for playing toss and catch with your dog. How to Throw for Mini-Distance by Rick Kimball, President of Indy Dog and Disc Club Basic Throwing for Toss n Fetch With Your Dog from runamuk on Vimeo.