LI's Paws Of War Aims To Save Military Therapy Dog

NESCONSET, NY — Musket is a brave and loving street dog who was adopted from a pound as part of an innovative program to help United States troops stationed overseas, according to Paws of War, a Nesconset nonprofit.

Musket became the first recognized Behavioral Health Service Canine on the Middle Eastern base the troops were stationed at. But when Musket faced the grim prospect of euthanasia, Paws of War jumped into action to make sure that didn’t happen, according to a news release.

“This is a special case about an exceptional dog who has played an important role in helping our soldiers while they were deployed overseas,” said Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War. “To see him stripped of everything he worked so hard to accomplish does not sit well.”

Musket’s story began when a Behavioral Health Service Canine program was brought to life for troops serving in the Middle East by a brigade surgeon colonel and his team, according to Paws of War. Captain H, a behavioral health officer, was tasked with finding the right dog for the program. She noticed a little pup eagerly trying to get her attention as he peered through the bars of his cage, his tail wagging as fast as it could go.

"He was adorable, and he was perfect!" Paws of War wrote.

The training to make it into the program was hard, but Musket was a natural, and he took on the role as though he knew it was his life’s purpose. Captain H had a new prescription for whatever troubles a soldier was facing: Go pet Musket.

"The devoted pup thrived among his military family and they loved and appreciated him for giving them a break from the monotony of deployment, and reminding them of their own pets back home," Paws of War stated. "Though new and short-lived, the program was a huge success."

The program was unexpectedly shut down, however. Musket's status was revoked, and news came that he was being stripped of his Department of Defense identification; Mukset was once again considered to be a stray dog. According to Military policy, he had to leave the base immediately.

There was nowhere for him to go but back to the pound, and his life hung in the balance, according to Paws of War.

Captain H, desperate to save Musket, reached out to Paws of War. The organization began working to try and get Musket to safety. He was flown to a foster caretaker in Canada where he completed the six-month quarantine required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be able to enter the United States. Now he is ready for this final part of his journey: reuniting with Captain H and moving into his stateside forever home.

"We are only able to help our military members and the animals they love thanks to everyone who supports our mission," Misseri said. "Musket is invaluable to those in need and we cannot let his therapeutic service come to an end. He thrives in helping and strives to do his best - he has more than earned a safe place. We are doing everything we can to make that possible for him here in America."

Paws of War is committed to continuing Musket’s training and will provide him with veterinary care so he and Captain H can continue to bring Musket’s healing personality to the people who need him in the U.S.

If you would like to donate to help reunite Musket with his U.S. soldier, you may do so here.

Paws of War has helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, and animal rescue for deployed military. As the demand for Paws of War's services grew, traditional fundraisers like galas and golf outings were sidelined, putting a crimp in the needed funding to keep these services going.