A Belgian shepherd who has been on more than 350 explosive ordnance clearance and 46 missions across Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia was recently awarded the animal version of the Victoria Cross.
Boss, a 10-year-old dog who served in the Marine Corps with his handler Rat. Staff Sergeant Alex Schnell became the 75th recipient of the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Dickin Medal, for five years.
The medal is the highest honor any animal can receive while serving in a military conflict and recognizes “outstanding acts of valor or devotion to duty.”
Rate. Staff Sergeant Alex Schnell and the Belgian Shepherd Bass.
Bass saved countless lives by sniffing out five Taliban improvised explosive devices (IEDs) while U.S. and Afghan forces were engaged in an active firefight in 2019.
“Boss’ primary function as a military working dog – he’s a special type – is called a multi-purpose canine, and his three main abilities are explosive detection, apprehension or bite and then Being able to track enemy combatants,” Schnell said. Wednesday on “Tucker Carlson Tonight.”
The biggest threat coalition forces faced was IEDs in the field, argued retired Staff Sgt. He hailed military dogs as a “great asset” to mitigate threats.
IED blast reveals hidden damage in ex-servicemen’s brains
Schnell and Bass served five years and completed three overseas combat deployments.
She told host Tucker Carlson, “Belgian Malls are very smart, very intelligent by nature, but Bass, in particular, is one of the smartest dogs, if not the most, that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. is,” he told host Tucker Carlson. “I think it’s just because of his flexibility and his ability to read emotions in a certain situation, especially on the battlefield, and perform when the stakes are so high. able to do.”
“I mean, it’s a lot to ask an animal to do that, and the fact that he’s done it on so many occasions, it’s just — it’s pretty special.”
Carlson asked what the process is for service dogs to be adopted after they retire.
Bass was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal for his bravery.
“The boss retired about two weeks before I was honorably discharged, so I had to take it directly after my time on active duty, and it doesn’t always work that way. “has a lot to do with timing. About the unit and the specific dog. In our situation, we’re very fortunate to be able to do that,” Schnell said.
Ohio Air Force Sgt. Reunited with military dog after 3 years of separation
He highlighted how military dogs do not receive medical care or support from the US government after they retire.
Schnell added that he is involved with a non-profit organization called the US War Dogs Association, which helps provide medical care and financial support.
“Boss has really enjoyed his retirement, but last October he was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of blood cancer called hemangiosarcoma, and had to have emergency surgery,” Schnell said.
“He’s had some chemotherapy. I’m happy to say he’s in remission, which is fantastic, but those medical bills are expensive and US War Dogs paid the entire bill for his treatment every month. Provided medical care to over 1,200 dogs, giving them the quality of life that these people deserve after doing so much for us without having to say anything about it.”
The War Dogs Association was founded in 2000 by five Vietnam veterans and has helped more than 1,000 retired military dogs.
Read full article here