TRAVERSE CITY — Hundreds of retired military dogs will soon receive care packages to honor their service thanks to Military Working Dog Team Support Association.
The dogs served alongside American troops in all branches of the military, after service the K9’s often returns to American soil. Now the dogs are being recognized for their service after retirement through the Honor Box Project.
Military Working Dog Team Support Association board member Allison Merrill said it’s important to celebrate the K9’s work. “They saved countless lives and they’re the reason why a lot of men and women come home from overseas. When they come home, I think it’s important to honor them and take care of them and spoil them.”
This year the honor box will deliver 225 care packages to retired veteran K9’s, something they’ve been doing for eleven years.
“Each box value alone is like $300 and then we spend 4 to 5,000 on postage just for this one event,” said Merrill.
Inside those boxes are treats, toys, collars and bones for the retired K9’s to enjoy. And while the organization has a national presence, the effort here is local, powered by Northern Michigan businesses, donors and volunteers who help pack the boxes.
“There’s a very small group of us. I think there’s like six of us on the board, and there’s quite a few other volunteers all across the nation,” said Merrill. “We even have some retired handlers that are still living overseas and they kind of help us out too.”
If you’d like to support the Honor Box Project with a donation, you can Pets Naturally.