March 13

National K9 Veterans Day

An appreciation day on March 13 honoring the service, sacrifices, and contributions of American military working dogs, police K9s, and other service canines throughout history.

Yearly Date

March 13

Observed in

United States

Introduction

March 13 is the special day to recognize and pay tribute to all our four-legged warriors – National K9 Veterans Day! This day was established in 2009 as a way to honor the brave service of military working dogs, search and rescue dogs, police dogs, customs and border patrol canines. It's a great opportunity for us to show appreciation for their courage and loyalty throughout history.

National K9 Veterans Day Timeline

1942

K9 Corps Established

The United States Army established its K9 Corps on March 13, officially recognizing the significant contributions of military dogs.

1945

End of World War II

At the end of World War II, nearly 10,000 military dogs were discharged, having played roles in sentry duty, message carrying, and mine detection.

1966

Canine Use in Vietnam War

During the Vietnam War, about 4000 Canine soldiers were deployed. They played essential roles as scout dogs, tracker dogs, and even in search and rescue operations.

1993

Police Dogs Recognition

The U.S Supreme Court recognized police dogs as an invaluable part of law enforcement teams, increasing their use and status in crime prevention and detection.

2001

9/11 Search and Rescue Dogs

After the 9/11 attacks, nearly 100 search and rescue dogs were used to search for survivors at Ground Zero, highlighting their courage under pressure.

2009

National K9 Veterans Day Inception

The National K9 Veterans Day was officially recognized on March 13, established in memory of military, police, and service dogs across all states.

How to Celebrate National K9 Veterans Day

1 Donate to a K9 veteran organization

There are many organizations that help retired K9 veterans, such as Mission K9 Rescue, Dogs on Deployment and Guardian Angels For Soldier's Pet. Show your support by donating money or supplies to one of these organizations.

2 Volunteer at a K9 veteran event

Many organizations host events to honor and recognize the service of K9 veterans. Lend a hand by volunteering to help set up or clean up after an event.

3 Send cards to K9 veteran handlers

Write a few words of thanks and appreciation for the service of the handler and their partner - it will be greatly appreciated.

4 Share stories of K9 veterans

Share stories of K9 veterans on social media or in your local community. Let people know about their service and the difference they made in their respective countries.

5 Visit a K9 veteran memorial

Visit a memorial dedicated to K9 veterans and pay your respects. Many communities have established monuments and parks that commemorate their service.

Why National K9 Veterans Day is Important

K9 Veterans are Heroes

K9 Veterans play a critical role in various missions: military operations, search and rescue missions, policing and customs inspections. Their bravery, loyalty and dedication save countless lives. Honoring them on National K9 Veterans Day is our way of saying "thank you" for their heroic service.

Raises Awareness

National K9 Veterans Day helps raise awareness about the contributions of canine heroes. Celebrating this day educates people about the vital roles these dogs play and pays homage to their courageous service.

Supports Animal Welfare

By recognizing National K9 Veterans Day, we show our support for animal welfare and advocate for programs that take care of these service animals during and after their service. Through public support, more resources can be directed towards these dogs and their handlers, promoting overall animal welfare.