Well, why on earth would they have a dog anyway?” That was part of a comment on a Facebook post which listed a dog owned by a military woman who was leaving for six months of training. To me, it was akin to asking a soldier (or any other branch of service) why they breathe. Pets are a friend, a comfort, a safety factor, they help fight loneliness and depression. Petting a dog or cat can actually lower your blood pressure, for both civilians and military people…so why wouldn’t they own a pet? Yes, the job has some draw backs, such as long deployments, overseas duty stations and the risk of life and limb. Even with that, why should they be denied the opportunity to share that bond with a pet?

The time away can vary from a few weeks to a couple years. Many have asked why they do not just take them along. The answer isn’t a simple “this” or “that,” it can be any one of several things or a combination. The military has a number of installations overseas, quarantine is long and expensive. For an older dog, this can be even tougher than the long flight in a cargo hold that has no temperature regulations. Most of the OCONUS (outside of the continental US) bases have size, weight, and breed restrictions. Also, from state to state, the mainland bases have regulations that differ widely; and while there is a push by Dogs on Deployment to have these regulated, it will not be soon.

Airlines also have shipping restrictions. If the weather is too hot or cold, the pets cannot go for their own protection. Airlines will not ship large heavy animals. Driving across country with a dog or two is no easy task. Not only do you have to find a safe place to take the dog out for a walk, it also needs to be safe for the owner. Just like people—animals are also susceptible to motion sickness. If you stop for the night, you have to find a pet friendly motel, there are more now than in the past, however, it is still not guaranteed that where you are will have accommodations.

Undoubtedly, the biggest issue is breed restrictions, followed closely by size restrictions. A huge boom would be to have boarding facilities partner with Dogs on Deployment and provide discounts or free space for military pets in need, especially in high need areas. It would be the ideal way to support the troops in a way facility owners already have at their disposal, and it can garner a lot of free publicity. The Public Relations email receives a minimum of a dozen requests for interviews each month. Many reporters want another link to the story, a new angle, which could well be a facility owner housing pets for deployed military. The need is constant. More than one family member has said, “I’d take the dog, but my complex says no dogs over thirty-five pounds.” Home Owners Associations have also been cited as a reason, “We can’t have any bully breed—even English Bull Dogs.”

When it comes to housing the pets during a deployment, some options are just not feasible. Long term boarding for a dog can start at $28 a day, cats start at about $18 and run to $90 and $50 before you get to designer pet care facilities. $840 a month, on the low end, is not practical for a military pay check. The other option is to hire a pet sitter. Lately there have been too many stories on Craig’s List where it was used to sell or give away the pets. (Craig’s List would also like to see this practice end.)

Dogs on Deployment, (or DoD), was established to help military members that are deploying find a foster home for their fur-friends while they are deployed. They are not a rescue, and they do not rehome pets. One of the goals of Dogs on Deployment is to increase the rights and education that pet owners have while serving on active duty in the military. This includes bringing light to the problem of pet relinquishment by military members to higher levels of the chain of command, and petitioning for annual, military-wide pet responsibility training, as well as a military wide policy on pets. They want pets to be considered part of the family by military regulations, not disposable objects.

In the meantime, DoD provides a platform for the military member to register and post pictures of their pet along with a bit of information about them, the location and how long they will need to be fostered. Volunteer boarders can also register on www.dogsondeployment.org to take in pets. The service member can then review the candidates and make contact with them, hopefully finding a temporary home for their pet. While the focus is mainly on single military, for those making a PCS move (permanent change of station) to a foreign country, DoD is also here to help. As the war in Afghanistan and Iraq winds down, DoD will also be looking to aid veterans that are in need of pet care while they are an inpatient at approved VA facilities for treatment.

The idea came to founders Shawn and Alisa Johnson, who serve in the US Navy and US Marine Corps respectively. They started Dogs on Deployment in June 2011. As a dual-military family, the founders have been in situations where they needed a program like Dogs on Deployment. Alisa had orders to move to Quantico, Virginia where she was to attend six months of military training. At the same time, Shawn was to be deployed. Neither could care for their beloved dog, JD. They were lucky enough to have family to rely on, but recognized the need for a program which would help others who found themselves in a similar situation. Basics for the organization were hashed out on the drive from California to Virginia, all the while Alisa had butterflies thinking about leaving her much loved and spoiled pooch with people she didn’t know and her husband hadn’t seen in ages. More than once the question came to mind, “What if we didn’t have them to help out?” By the time they reached Quantico they knew they had to start a non-profit to help and that the name would be Dogs on Deployment. Just like the owners deployed—so would the pets and the DoD is a bit of a take on the Defense Department. They are now an award winning non-profit with chapters across the country.

Along with providing a link to potential boarders, DoD also provides information on the benefits of pet insurance and spay neuter programs. Illness can strike when least expected, even with our pets. DoD has their Pet Chit program where they try to help military members or the boarders of deployed pets with emergency medical costs. Another item of concern is veterinary care while the service member is away. Dogs on Deployment would also be interested in establishing a working relationship with well-established vets and animal clinics, especially near high need areas.

More information about Dogs on Deployment is available on the website www.dogsondeployment.org. For anyone wanting to partner with Dogs on Deployment, they may email [email protected]

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