A Doghouse Like No Different: Navy Pooches Might Quickly Get Chemical Weapons Shelters

It’s paw-sible that the Pentagon could quickly repair a ruff drawback for army working canines by creating transportable shelters for them to protect in opposition to weapons of mass destruction.

Protecting kennels for army canines to protect in opposition to chemical and organic threats could quickly be within the works, in accordance with a analysis solicitation proposal from the Division of Protection’s Small Enterprise Innovation Analysis Program.

“For sure essential missions demanding a excessive diploma of maneuverability and common readiness, it’s extremely fascinating to have revolutionary [military working dog] shelters with a lot decrease logistical necessities and comfort components,” the analysis solicitation stated.

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These transportable, collapsible canine shelters would come geared up with air filtration methods and temperature controls to make sure the security of the animals. They might even be mild sufficient to be carried by a single service member.

Navy working canines are sometimes the primary to enter conditions the place chemical and organic threats could also be current however are supplied with little private protecting gear in comparison with their handlers. The creation of this simply transportable enclosure can be a serious step towards serving to safeguard a soldier’s greatest good friend and a essential army asset.

Some private protecting gear is already accessible for army canines — from ear, eye and paw safety to ballistic vests — however these are sometimes thought-about impractical due to the difficulties they create in performing duties, in accordance with a Pentagon-funded report from Might by the College of Georgia School of Veterinary Medication.

“Microbial pathogens, chemical toxins, and chemical warfare brokers all current vital threat of hurt to each the handler and the canine,” the report stated. It additionally highlighted that, whereas army working canines are sometimes not the supposed sufferer of an assault and are thought-about much less vulnerable to illness produced by these brokers, they deserve higher safety from publicity to contaminated environments.

One other examine from 2021 on veterinary look after army working canines discovered that heat-related harm is likely one of the extra severe circumstances which will have an effect on army working canines, making correct air circulation essential within the new kennels.

Canines have an extended historical past of being concerned in warfare; the U.S. army started formally coaching canines to serve in its ranks throughout World Battle II. The well being and security of those creatures has lengthy been an essential a part of the army, particularly for the Army Veterinary Corps, the department answerable for the welfare of army animals.

“As Veterinary Corps officers, we have now to maintain up our medical expertise to be able to present look after army working canines,” Capt. Aaron Judson, a veterinarian on the Joint Readiness Coaching Heart and Fort Polk Veterinary Clinic in Louisiana, stated in a press assertion.

“We’ve got a novel job; we offer a novel service to the Division of Protection as a result of the Army is the one department with a Veterinary Corps,” he continued.

There are roughly 2,500 lively army working canines within the area immediately, in accordance with the College of Georgia report.

The DoD started accepting proposals for analysis and growth of those new protecting kennels on Might 18. Small enterprise corporations have till June 15 to submit a potential challenge plan.

— Jonathan Lehrfeld is a fellow at Navy.com. Comply with him on Twitter @lehrfeld_media.

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