Although many of us view our pets as novel, the human-animal relationship has existed for ages and has helped to shape our modern society. Pets provide comfort, love, and laughter, but their acts of service over the years add up to an amazing accomplishment that has cemented the bond we share with them.

The United States is no stranger to the incredible feats and acts of service performed by companion animals. Whether they lend a paw in times of trouble, help humans with valuable tasks, or offer their calm and comforting presence, the services provided by these patriotic pets make our great country even better.

Serving Our Nation’s Heroes

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affects up to 30% of veterans, often leading to debilitating symptoms and a significantly decreased quality of life. Specially trained PTSD service dogs can provide much needed support and comfort to struggling veterans, and assist with helpful tasks such as security checks and medication reminders.

Amazing K9s

Thousands of police and military working dogs serve and protect our country each and every day, performing important duties such as:

• Protection
• Apprehension of suspects
• Explosives detection
• Narcotics detection
• Search and rescue
• Combat assistance
• Detection of illegally imported goods

Acts of Bravery

Disaster search dogs were instrumental following the attacks on the Twin Towers and Pentagon, the Oklahoma City bombings, and various natural disasters. These incredible canines (most of whom are rescued from animal shelters across the country) are trained to enter dangerous, unstable areas with the intent of seeking out and locating humans who may be trapped in the rubble.

Shaping the Nation

Domestic animals played an important role in shaping civilizations throughout the world, including right here in the U.S. It’s reasonable to assume that the United States would be a vastly different place without the hard work and sacrifice of horses, oxen, cattle, foul, cats, dogs, and more. Pets and other domestic animals continue to better the lives of citizens each and every day in countless ways, what could be more patriotic than that?

Serving Our Patriotic Pets

Besides unconditional loyalty and stunning bravery, the patriotic pets we’ve featured have one thing in common: proper and diligent care provided by a devoted owner/handler. In order to perform at their peak, all pets should be free of illness/injury and be at a healthy weight, all of which are accomplished by:

• Regular wellness checkups
• Good dental care
• Parasite prevention
• Up-to-date vaccinations
• A nutritious diet
• Plenty of exercise

Your team at Schertz Animal Hospital is committed to providing your pet with the best possible care throughout their lifetime. Don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions or concerns regarding your pet’s health, or to set up an appointment.