Black Jack, an almost 3-year-old black lab, naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune's Facility Therapy dog, works with Clinical Psychologist Julia Komelasky primarily at Camp Geiger School of Infantry (SOI), as well as within NMCCL’s Emergency Department, visiting with patients who have been admitted.
The duties of facility therapy dog like Black Jack, who has his own NMCCL staff ID badge, include helping Komelasky during each appointment with Marines.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Colton Corsetti, a K9 handler currently assigned to the Military Working Dog (MWD) Team Deployment Training Course, poses for a photo with his MWD Ffidelio, while conducting helicopter familiarization, heloborn vehicle interdiction, and detection training on the Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), Feb. 15, 2019. The MWD Team Deployment Training Course is 3 weeks long where MWD handlers from all 3 Marine Expeditionary Forces advance their dog team capabilities focusing on teaching teams to become effective and lethal assets. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Allison Lotz
Brianna Heim watches her service dog, Emily, as she bowls Jan. 30, 2019, at the bowling event held by Exceptional Family Member Program-Family Support at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs
Service dog Casey lies down beside her handler while her handler gives a lecture during the assistance animal’s informational workshop at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Jan. 18, 2019. Casey demonstrated the importance of having a well-behaved service dog in the workshop. U.S. Air Force photo by Machiko Arita
U.S. Marine Corps Military Working Dog (MWD) Ken with the Provost Marshall's Office, K9 Section, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, poses for a silhouette photograph on MCAS Yuma, Jan. 18, 2019. MWDs are trained to subdue or intimidate suspects before having to use lethal force; they are also used for detecting explosives, narcotics, and other harmful materials. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Allison Lotz
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman James Terry, 20th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) military working dog (MWD) handler, and Tank, 20th SFS MWD, relax after practicing basic obedience commands at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Feb. 4, 2019. The K-9 Unit’s mission is to protect personnel and property as well as support the United States secret service and local agencies. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Maldonado
Guests participating in the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma Winter Tours observe a demonstration of the obstacle course, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), Explosive Ordinance Detection (EOD), and a military working dog demonstration at various locations on MCAS Yuma, Ariz., Feb. 6, 2019. Col. David A. Suggs, the station commanding officer, resumed the tours in 2018 to strengthen the relationship with the outside community and give them the opportunity to see what the Marines aboard the air station do. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Allison Lotz
Sgt. Lobo Shepherd, Non-Commissioned Dog of the Quarter 1-19: Sgt. Shepherd eagerly poses for his command board style photograph at Station COMMSTRAT. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cody Shepard/released
U.S. Air Force military working dog (MWD) Ukkie jumps out of a patrol car as part of MWD daily training at RAF Mildenhall, England, Nov. 6, 2018. The MWD teams train the 'six phases of aggression' on a daily basis, which consists of field interview, pursuit of attach, search, escort and a standoff. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christine Groening
Military working dog Gina sits by her handler after being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal at the K-9’s retirement ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, Md., June 4, 2018. Gina served JBA as an explosive detection K-9 for presidents and other important visitors.
The now famous photo of Sully H.W. Bush keeping watch over the casket of former President George H.W. Bush. Photo by Evan Sisley, Office of George H.W. Bush
Sgt. Dillon (left), Sgt. Truman (center), and Rear Adm. Bobbie (right), offer friendship and support to patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Sgt. Dillon and Sgt. Truman were trained by one of the organizations that receives grant funding by the Uniformed Services University's Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program. DoD photo by Leigh Cutbert
Beneil Dariush, an active mixed martial artist, experiences a bite suit while visiting military working dogs and their handlers at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, during the MMA Holiday Tour across the Middle East, Dec. 19, 2018. U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Leland White
Staff Sgt. Christopher Dennison, right, 11th Security Support Squadron military working dog handler, salutes Maj. Alex Liggett, left, 11th SSPTS commander, after MWD Lenox received the Meritorious Service Medal during his retirement ceremony on Joint Base Andrews, Md., June 4, 2018. Lenox served 10 years at JBA as an explosive detection K-9.
The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences' (USU) Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program has provided funding to a number of organizations who train dogs to provide assistance to active duty service members and veterans. Sully H.W. Bush, the Labrador Retriever service dog for former President George H.W. Bush, was trained by one of the USU-funded organizations. Photo via @sullyhwbush Instagram
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cullen Thomas, 824th Expeditionary Base Defense Squadron military working dog handler, and his military working dog Klepa perform a perimeter check at Nigérien Air Base 201, Niger, Dec. 9, 2018. The military working dog section plays a critical role in keeping service members safe and base assets secure. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Asselta
Law enforcement K9 handlers performed drills at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich., Sept. 30, - Oct. 4, 2018 as part of the National Association of Professional Canine Handlers (NAPCH) annual seminar. It is the 16th consecutive year that the NAPCH gathering has been held at Alpena CRTC. courtesy photo by John Johnston/released
National K-9 Veterans Day is March 13th. Here are some great images of our four-legged heroes who have served or continue to serve on the battlefield or on the homefront.
Continue by checking out the history of K-9s and their service in the U.S. armed forces.