{"id":124109,"date":"2026-03-13T05:07:54","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T09:07:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cablemanpro.com\/wallstreetpr\/i-served-with-my-dog-dasty-in-afghanistan-dogs-are-mans-best-friend-on-the-battlefield-124109"},"modified":"2026-03-13T05:07:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T09:07:54","slug":"i-served-with-my-dog-dasty-in-afghanistan-dogs-are-mans-best-friend-on-the-battlefield","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cablemanpro.com\/wallstreetpr\/i-served-with-my-dog-dasty-in-afghanistan-dogs-are-mans-best-friend-on-the-battlefield-124109","title":{"rendered":"I served with my dog Dasty in Afghanistan. Dogs are man\u2019s best friend on the battlefield"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

America is celebrating its 250th\u00a0anniversary this year, a milestone made possible by the service members who have answered the call of duty since 1776. But the story of our country \u2014 and how we got here \u2014 is incomplete without including the contributions of the four-legged heroes who have served alongside our brave men and women in uniform.\u00a0<\/p>\n

These dogs deserve an extra treat and belly rub this Canine Veterans Day (March 13) \u2014 especially my Dutch Shepherd, Dasty.<\/p>\n

Courageous canines have fought alongside U.S. troops since the Revolutionary War, helping guard munitions stockpiles and serve as battlefield messengers. Fast-forward more than 150 years, and the K-9 Corps was\u00a0officially\u00a0formed during World War II, with\u00a0roughly\u00a01,600 working dogs now serving in our armed forces<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Whether as bomb sniffers, trackers or assault support units, the American soldier<\/a> has no better ally than man\u2019s best friend. My four-legged sidekick is part of this patriotic legacy.<\/p>\n

VANCE FIRES UP MARINES ON MILITARY BRANCH’S 250TH BIRTHDAY: \u2018KICK THE ENEMY\u2019S A– AND COME HOME SAFE\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Our story began in 2018 when I was paired with Dasty \u2014 3 years old at the time \u2014 at Fort Huachuca out west. Although we initially worked alongside the base police department, we were soon sent to Missouri for explosive detection training, a 60-day course that taught us to work as a team to uncover deadly weapons. From there, we deployed to Afghanistan<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dasty and I shared a modest tent at Forward Operating Base Dahlke in the Logar Province, where twin-sized mattresses awaited both of us. My canine partner provided a huge morale boost on base and, as you can imagine, was quite popular among the service members. Other soldiers frequented our tent just to spend time with Dasty \u2014 petting sessions that I can assure you he enjoyed just as much as they did.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Beyond bringing comfort to soldiers far from home, Dasty also saved lives. He located enemy IEDs and weapons<\/a>, which too often prove deadly to American service members, and performed admirably in combat situations. While under enemy contact, Dasty stayed calm and focused.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

After the deployment ended, we returned to the states and were stationed at a military base in Northern Virginia, where Dasty\u2019s important work continued. We participated in multiple Secret Service missions for both Presidents Joe Biden<\/a> and Donald Trump<\/a>, and we also helped train other military canine teams. It was gratifying to see others form such strong bonds with their dogs \u2014 a type of relationship that I had come to treasure in my own life.<\/p>\n

Finally, in 2022, I said goodbye to the Army to pursue a new career in Wisconsin<\/a> and spend more time with my family. While I was looking forward to the next phase of my life, the change meant I had to part ways with Dasty, who would remain in the military \u2014 a heartbreaking separation that I hoped would not last forever. Thankfully, we had one final chapter.<\/p>\n

When it was time for Dasty to retire two years later, I contacted\u00a0the American Humane Society \u2014 which my wife had heard about \u2014 to see if they could help reunite us. The organization stepped up in a big way by flying Dasty from Arlington, Va., to my home in Green Bay, Wisc., and pledging to cover any future veterinary bills<\/a>. The financial support proved invaluable just a few months ago when the nonprofit paid for a spinal surgery that restored Dasty\u2019s ability to walk.\u00a0<\/p>\n

U.S. military dogs<\/a> are paws-on-the-ground all around the world \u2014 helping safeguard American lives and advance strategic national security interests as we mark 250 years of independence. Dasty is one of these loyal and patriotic heroes who deserves recognition. Now, finally off duty, he can fetch some well-earned rest \u2014 and a chew toy.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Source – https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/opinion\/i-served-my-dog-dasty-afghanistan-dogs-mans-best-friend-battlefield <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

America is celebrating its 250th\u00a0anniversary this year, a milestone made possible by the service members who have answered the call of duty since 1776. But […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"twitter_2902945987_2902945987":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[16563],"tags":[],"stock_ticker":[],"class_list":["post-124109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-market-news","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nI served with my dog Dasty in Afghanistan. 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