Celebrate military animals this Memorial Day

May 25, 2:48 PMDC Pet Care ExaminerErin Paquette

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From lazy_lobster on MorgueFile.com

While Memorial Day has become more famous for its cookouts than the celebration of freedom we have thanks to the sacrifice of countless soldiers, many of us are oblivious to the fact that we should also thank our furry friends for their contribution to the freedom we now share.

Often referred to as military animals, domestic and exotic animals have been used during times of war for thousands of years. From the carrier pigeon to rescue dogs, military animals are responsible for saving thousands of lives, often losing their own lives in the process.

In addition to pigeons and dogs, other animals that have been used during times of war include:

• Pigs
• Camels
• Cows
• Oxens
• Elephants
• Reindeers
• Mules
• Donkeys
• Horses

A modern day example of a military animal that has suffered due to warfare is Lava—a dog that was rescued from Baghdad by Jay Kopelman. While the story Kopelman tells in his book From Baghdad, With Love, paints a triumphant picture of Lava’s new life in America, Kopelman recently discovered that Lava has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to his experiences as a military dog.

While the effect of PTSD on soldiers has been thoroughly discussed by the media, it turns out that it is not uncommon for dogs that have seen military action to also develop PTSD. While Lava is currently undergoing treatment for PTSD, Kopelman says that Lava is far from having his PTSD under control.

You can watch Kopelman’s interview with Chris Wragge of the Early Show below.  

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If you haven't already, please take the time to thank someone—human, or otherwise—who has served and given us the chance for freedom.