His accomplishments started from patrolling Baghdad’s streets, suppressing a prison riot, and detecting explosives on a garbage truck. He saved hundreds of lives. An Iraq war veteran, Dexter retired after six long years of service.
The dog’s full name is “Military Working Dog Dexter C067,” but you can now call him Dexter since he already retired from his service. He is now 34 years old (dog years). He will soon live a beautiful, relaxing life in Spring Grove, all thanks to saveavet.org.
Dexter’s dream of retirement almost didn’t happen because the military checked him for persistent annihilation of his hip issues and the result of their experience. However, his handler, Kathleen Ellison, did not give up and pleaded with the congress members to give the canine the retirement he deserved. Luckily, they agreed with her.
Kathleen contacted Debbie Kandoll, who manages Military Working Dog adoption, who contacted Iraq veterinarian Danny Scheurer, a Save-A-Vet founder. He has experience handling similar dogs in his unit and knows how to handle a fellow veteran. Danny told the Sun-Times that he owes his life to the veterans because they saved him.
Kathleen and Debbie escorted the war hero, Dexter, back to the United States from his Italian barracks. Upon Dexter’s arrival at Spring Grove, an official ceremony made him a full-fledged Fox Lake American Legion Post 703—a well-deserved membership for our hero.
The communications director of American Legion National, John Raughter, informed the Lake County News-Sun that this was the first time they had admitted a working animal. John said that the post was autonomous and didn’t need permission. However, Jerry Kandziorski, the commander of the job, felt that inducting Dexter was right.
Kandziorski explained that Dexter is a military veteran. He deserved some recognition of his own, as well as the award, after spending six years of service in Iraq.
Source: NBC Chicago