Military Dogs Have Their Day at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society

Military working dogs and their handlers were honored for their dedication and sacrifices Saturday morning as the first private memorial honoring military K-9s west of the Mississippi River was unveiled at the in Encinitas.

The memorial sits near the base of the flagpole in Cricket’s Corner dog park and features a life-size statue of a German shepherd named Chyba who was deployed to Iraq for six months in August 2004.

Members of all five branches of the military were represented on the warm spring morning, as well as elected officials, humane society members and people who just love dogs. Several military working dogs—active and retired—were there with their handlers, soaking in the attention they received from the grateful audience.

Michael Berg, board chairperson of RCHS, said the idea of the memorial came from society President Jim Silveira and Madeleine Pickens following a tour of Arlington National Cemetery with a group of military working dogs and their handlers.

“Everybody knows that these animals sacrifice absolutely as much as their human counterparts do,” Berg said. “As an animal-welfare organization in a strong military community, we felt it was appropriate that they be honored for their dedication and their commitment to our freedom, and San Diegans should have a place to show that appreciation.”

Maj. Jamisen Fox of the Marine Corps described the dangers the dogs and their handlers face on the battlefield. Several in attendance Saturday served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“You’re in harm’s way, in front of everybody else,” Fox said. “You're the first person, first animal the bad guys see and the first one they want to take out because you’re the most credible threat out there. Because we’re going to find you.”

Marine Sgt. Jonathan Pierce, a K-9 handler who has served in Afghanistan, said the dogs serve a crucial military role, but they also help boost morale. 

“More than the dogs’ capabilities to search out bombs and people is their ability to bring morale up,” Pierce said. “They bring a little piece of back home to a place that’s so far away and unfriendly.”

When military working dogs reach retirement, good homes are needed for them to live the rest of their lives in comfort. Part of the memorial’s mission is to educate the public about the need for good homes to welcome a retired dog into the family.

One of those dogs, 9-year-old Chan, was there with his handler, MA2 Jacob Urban of the Navy. Urban said Chan has been to Iraq several times, specializing in detecting explosives. Chan is retired but still has a lot of good years left, Urban said.

“He would make a great family dog, he does well with everyone,” Urban said.

There are eight similar memorials around the United States. Bricks surrounding the statue can be engraved with a personalized message for $150, with proceeds helping to support the memorial’s maintenance.

To order an engraved brick, call 760-753-6413. More information on adopting a working military dog can be found at www.MilitaryWorkingDogAdoptions.com.