AKC CAR Donates Microchips and Lifetime Enrollments to Service Dogs Stationed in IRAQ

May 2, 2008 - AKC Companion Animal Recovery made a donation of ID System microchips and two scanners to the Veterinary Corps in Iraq. The request came through the Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc. (MWDTSA). The microchips will be used by eight veterinarians in the unit to permanently identify any service dogs without a microchip as well as for use in a special new program. This program takes stray dogs used as sentries or guard dogs on remote patrol bases and allows them to be designated as Force Protection Dogs. This designation enables the dogs to be permanently identified with a microchip as well as receive adequate medical care so that they can continue to protect our soldiers without being a health risk to them.

CPT Holly Landes, DVM, stated "I want to express my deepest appreciation for your generous donation to our cause. I thank you for allowing better care and identification of our dogs in Iraq and also for giving us the tools for a successful Force Protection Dog program. I am always humbled by the caring support that we receive while we're over here and it was no different this time. Thank you so much!!!"

AKC CAR has a long-standing relationship with working service dogs by aiding in their permanent identification. Free enrollments to its recovery service have been available for active service and assistance dogs for many years. AKC CAR also awards grants to search and rescue animals through its AKC CAR Canine Support and Relief Fund on an ongoing basis.

"We really appreciate the work that the Veterinary Corps is doing in Iraq, " said Tom Sharp, Vice President and CEO of AKC CAR, and "we are proud to support their efforts by providing much needed microchip supplies."