Scott Haiduc

On a cool, clear day at Washington D.C.’s Navy Memorial Plaza, veterans, supporters, and military working dog handlers from all branches of service gathered to pay tribute to some of America’s most unsung heroes. Dogs have been vital military service members since World War II but rarely receive the recognition they deserve. The United States War Dog Association (USWDA) is devoted to changing that. This year, they held the first-ever K9 Veterans Day celebration to honor the skills, service, and sacrifice of military K-9s as well as their handlers, trainers, …

Read more

United States servicemen and women risk their lives and leave their families to protect this nation. Unfortunately, sometimes they return home with injuries from service. Thankfully, there is some relief for our warriors. This is the story of one serviceman and the dog that came to his aid. An American Hero Erick Scott served in the Army National Guard and Army for sixteen years. He traveled to Iraq on behalf of the United States. His time abroad was not easy. Unfortunately, he did not return home with all his brothers …

Read more

Jim Brakewood Jr. might look like kind of a scary dude. At 6’2”, loaded with muscles, long, wild hair and a beard to match, he cuts a pretty imposing figure. It’s as if a Viking decided he wasn’t ready for Valhalla just yet and decided to pay Instagram a visit instead. He has a soft spot for dogs, though. In particular, his Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Amora. Jim has seen war. In two tours in Iraq, he has been in battle, he has been wounded, and he has lost friends. During …

Read more

Six months into his deployment to Afghanistan, Spc. Alec Alcoser grabbed his dog’s leash and left the barracks. It was a mission day, and Alcoser and his partner, a German Shepherd named Alex, were reporting to duty. They’d been working together for months and already had a close bond. They slept in the same bed, enjoyed their free time together, and always had each other’s backs. On that day, their friendship was put to the ultimate test. Rounding a street corner, Alcoser and Alex saw a local Afghan walking toward …

Read more