RSH to Honor Military Working Dogs for Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time for us to take a step back and really honor all those who have given their lives defending our country. But each year, there’s a group of veterans who are easy to overlook: Military Working Dogs (MWD) are some of the greatest soldiers we have. Along with their handlers, they put themselves in dangerous situations, willing to risk their lives to save ours. Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) spokesman John Van Zante said in a press release that MWDs have been saving numerous lives since the 1940s.

“The average Military Working Dog saves 150 lives during its time in service," Van Zante said. "Since the creation of the Army's K-9 Corps in 1942, MWDs have detected explosives that would have killed soldiers and civilians and alerted our troops to enemies that could not be seen, only smelled."

The humane society is honoring these brave, four-legged soldiers at a special Memorial Day service at the society’s Cricket’s Corner Dog Park.  It will be the only private MWD memorial west of the Mississippi River.  

The service will feature Sgt. Dustin Benson, an active duty United States Marine and Military Working Dog handler. Benson will be remembering his MWD "Boris," who crossed over the rainbow bridge recently. He will share his experiences as a United States Marine, as a handler, and as an adopter of an MWD.

If you want to pay tribute to the MWDs who have given their service to save lives, visit at 11 a.m. on May 28. The will be one hour. The park and society will be closed the rest of the day.