When dogs go to war, they get care worthy of soldiers

SAN ANTONIO -- Military dogs go to basic training, too.

Instructors at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio teach dogs to tolerate the crack of gunfire and sputter of helicopters. The animals are trained to sniff for explosives on command, plus freeze and stare at suspicious objects.

About 2,000 of these working dogs confront danger beside American soldiers, largely in the Middle East. With noses that detect scents up to a third of a mile away, many sniff for explosives in Iraq. Their numbers have been growing about 20 percent a year since the terrorist attacks of 2001.

In doing their jobs, dozens of these dogs have also become war wounded, and their services are so valued that injured dogs are treated much like hurt troops.

Some dogs evacuated to military veterinary centers hundreds of miles away, even to Germany and the United States for rehabilitation. Many recover and return to duty.

People interested in adopting a military dog at the end of its service career may contact Lackland Air Force Base at (800) 531-1066.

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