Change military policy about animals
NO BUDDY LEFT BEHIND : Helping soldiers keep their pets
Rescind General Order-1A provision against animals
From the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan, we hear the heartwarming stories of Cinnamon, Lava, Charlie, Boo and Ratchet. They are the dogs of war - pets and mascots of our American soldiers who have rescued and cared for these animals trapped in the chaos of human conflict.
We also hear the tales of heartbreak. The pets and mascots of our soldiers are fugitives - victims a military order that requires the killing of animals harbored by American soldiers in combat zones.
Army Spc. Gwen Beberg rescued a homeless puppy from a burning pile of trash while on active duty in Iraq last May and named the puppy Ratchet. She says she could have not made it through her 13-month deployment without the companionship of Ratchet. But, Ratchet needed to be rescued a second time - this time from the United States military.
General Order 1A prohibits conduct that compromises characters and morale. This also includes a strict prohibition on the keeping of pets, even though soldiers' pets provide immeasurable comfort and would clearly enhance morale, not compromise it.
Because of these regulations the military has a habit of confiscating and killings animals rescued by our troops rather than allowing our men and women of the Armed Forces who have sacrificed so much to adopt and take home the animals that have helped them through the horrors of war.
Our troops and their pets should not suffer anymore. Urge the military to rescind this part of GO-1A.
Ratchet was lucky. Tens of thousands of citizens just like you signed a petition urging clemency for Ratchet. And, after several tries the wonderful people of the SPCA International's Operation Baghdad Pup program were able to secure his release and bring him home to Minnesota where he now waits for Sgt. Beberg's return.
Many other dogs and cats of our brave service men and women still need our help. Everyone of us, no matter our opinion of the current war is, can support our troops by asking the Department of Defense to immediately end their policy against confiscating and killing our soldiers rescued pets.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
It is time that Americans ask the Veterans Administration and military to embrace the mental health of all our soldiers.
Urge the Department of Defense to reverse military policy about soldiers keeping pets.
Tell them that a policy that includes a vaccination campaign would not only be good for public health, but also good for the soldier's morale.
And, finally show a cooperative spirit with the efforts of rescue groups helping those soldiers who wish to adopt their pets and transport them back to America for safe keeping. The benefits to the soldiers returning from war to find their pet waiting their for them is undeniably beneficial to the soldier's mental and emotional well being.
Here is a : Sample Letter to DOD
Donations to - M.A.R.S. Safe Haven
U.S. Soldiers and their beloved pets need our help!
UPDATE:
Bandaid - rescued from Iraq, November 2008
SPCA International completed FIVE rescue missions into Iraq in March 2009. They hope to return to Iraq in May to rescue more dogs & cats for our soldiers before the heat embargoes go into effect.
Washington, DC, November 5 - Operation Baghdad Pups is a SPCA International (http://www.spca.com/) initiative created to provide medical care, clearance and transport for animals U.S. soldiers have come to love during deployment in the Middle East. Today, SPCA International successfully rescued a therapy dog from Iraq that has served hundreds of U.S. servicemen and women in their struggle to maintain mental stability during their deployment in Iraq. The dog was appropriately named Bandaid by mental health NCO SSG Luke Henry who befriended her and trained her to help comfort hundreds of soldiers on a base near Baghdad.
"Bandaid has helped me stay sane and has shown love to many other soldiers. I counsel as many as 15 soldiers a day, but Bandaid is often a better counselor than me. Her wagging tail can do more for soldiers than hours spent talking to me in some instances. One soldier walks a mile from the other side of the FOB just to see her," explains SSG Luke Henry.
Bandaid was rescued along with 3 other soldiers' dogs. All 4 dogs will arrive at Dulles International Airport in Virginia tomorrow afternoon.
Hundreds of U.S. soldiers in the Middle East befriend animals in the war zone to help themselves cope with the hardship and terror they face every day. These dogs and cats become their lifeline - saving them from deep depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The military refuses to formally recognize the lifeline these animals give to our mentally wounded soldiers.
SSG Luke Henry and his family request donations be made at www.SPCA.com to help more soldiers save the animals they love from the war zone. SPCA International is a non-profit animal welfare organization that has been helping U.S. troops rescue their pets since September 2007. Operation Baghdad Pups is sponsored by I Love Dogs, Inc (www.ilovedogs.com/) and funded entirely by generous donations from the public.
News from SPCA International, November 4, 2008
SPCA International's Operation Baghdad Pups will bring home 4 more dogs this Thursday, arriving at Washington Dulles. We will highlight one of the dog's stories tomorrow. Please donate to Operation Baghdad Pups and support our troops and their pets.
READ MORE:
General Order 1-A (GO-1A) is a set of regulations formulated by the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) in late 2000, prohibiting the keeping of animals stating the conduct is "prejudicial to the maintenance of good order and discipline of all forces."
The other provisions of GO-1A forbids alcohol in nations where its use is frowned upon; bars soldiers from entering sites of religious significance except under special order; bans drug use, pornography, and gambling; bars religious proselytizing; and criminalizes the theft or destruction of archaeological artifacts or national treasures and the taking of souvenirs. These are understandable provisions.
However, caring for an animal or pet should not be among these offenses. The military refuses to help or formally recognize the lifeline these animals give to our mentally wounded. Veterans returned from Iraq are committing suicide at twice the rate of average Americans.
We have heard from many service members in Iraq and Afghanistan seeking intervention in the fate of their rescued animals who are in grave danger of being confiscated and killed by military authorities. Soldiers have confirmed that the there is an order to kill dogs found on American bases in Iraq. Some military units were also ordered to shoot animals on sight.
The goodhearted service members are no less culpable in the eyes of military brass; those who breach the policy on pets face the threat of serious punishment, including reduction in rank and court-martial.
Hundreds of U.S. soldiers in the Middle East have befriended animals in the war zone to help themselves cope with the hardship and terror they face every day. These dogs and cats become their lifeline - saving them from deep depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The DOD's rationale behind this provision is also one of "public health concern" for which the DOD actually hired contractors to kills dogs and cats in Iraq. Perhaps a more humane approach should have been investing in the shipment and distribution of rabies vaccines rather than hiring contractors to kill animals. And, if a soldier decides to befriend a dog or cat, he or she should immediately apply for a vaccine to cement that friendship and make it a safer one.
We could minimize the risk created by shipping pets to the United States by requiring that no animals be sent from Iraq or Afghanistan unless vaccinated at least 30 days prior to entry and placed in an extended stateside quarantine for further observation.
Whatever its motivations for the confiscation and killing of animals, our government should do more to reconcile the imperatives of public health with the humane treatment of animals and the well being of its military personnel. The keeping of animals by soldiers is an American tradition, one that should be honored and celebrated. Even soldiers during the American Civil War had animal mascots. The GO-1A is a grim "about-face."
The military needs to do whatever it necessary to encourage and sustain the morale of the men and woman in our Armed Forces. Given all that we know about the mental health benefits of keeping companion animals, why not strive for a kinder and better solution for the soldiers who risk their lives each day? But there is an even larger purpose at issue. The military's current draconian approach is inconsistent with its own actions in helping to build an animal shelter to anchor the new animal welfare organization in Iraq. By honoring our soldiers' compassionate inclinations, we can set a better example for Iraqis who, it is to be hoped, will embrace animal welfare as an important element in the reconstruction of civil society in their nation.
FYI: During the Vietnam War the U.S. Military had 4,000 dogs working side by side with our troops every day - search and destroy missions, locating dead and wounded, locating mines and traps, for example. When the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam, it deemed these dogs that had given faithful service to our troops as now "expendable equipment."
Of the 4,000 dogs that were a part of our Armed Forces in Vietnam - only 200 made it back home. The rest were released into the wild to either roam in packs, be eaten by the Vietnamese people, and many (if not most) were killed.
We have heard from many Veterans, asking that we never allow this disregard for the importance of animals to our soldiers to ever happen again. Vietnam veterans are still haunted to this day by the memories of the dogs they were forced to leave behind. We all OWE it to the troops, our Veterans and those animals to make sure that ANY negative policy towards animals changes.
Thank you,
M.A.R.S. Safe Haven
http://www.mars-safehaven.net/
Mailing List: info@mars-safehaven.net
Share your stories about soldiers and their pets at:
stories@mar-safehaven.net
Saving Private Ratchet gear at: www.cafepress.com/ratchet22
All proceeds benefit the SPCA.
The people of M.A.R.S. Safe Haven, SPCA International and Care2.com are dedicated to the cause of helping soldiers adopt their pets and securing safe passage for them back to the U.S., as well as efforts to rescind the current military policy towards soldiers and animals, prohibiting such actions.
Remarks to the Daughters of the American Revolution (Washington, D.C.)
As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Washington, D.C., Friday, July 11, 2008
"...And, of course... One group leads an international effort to bring back to the United States dogs that have been adopted in theater ... and that units are loath to leave behind. It may seem a small thing, but in the midst of war, cats and dogs become part of the unit. As one soldier said, Even the gnarliest dudes turn to putty around...our dogs."
Sponsors of the Clemency for Ratchet petition
www.thepetitionsite.com/2/clemency-for-ratchet
Sources:
http://www.spca.com/ 
ONLINE PETITIONS CAN AND DO WORK:
See for yourself -
News stories from Ratchet petition:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article4958594.ece
http://www.8statekate.net/wordpress/?p=409
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/clemency-for-ratchet - RATCHET PETITION
NO BUDDY LEFT BEHIND : Helping soldiers keep their pets
Rescind General Order-1A provision against animals
From the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan, we hear the heartwarming stories of Cinnamon, Lava, Charlie, Boo and Ratchet. They are the dogs of war - pets and mascots of our American soldiers who have rescued and cared for these animals trapped in the chaos of human conflict.
We also hear the tales of heartbreak. The pets and mascots of our soldiers are fugitives - victims a military order that requires the killing of animals harbored by American soldiers in combat zones.
Army Spc. Gwen Beberg rescued a homeless puppy from a burning pile of trash while on active duty in Iraq last May and named the puppy Ratchet. She says she could have not made it through her 13-month deployment without the companionship of Ratchet. But, Ratchet needed to be rescued a second time - this time from the United States military.
General Order 1A prohibits conduct that compromises characters and morale. This also includes a strict prohibition on the keeping of pets, even though soldiers' pets provide immeasurable comfort and would clearly enhance morale, not compromise it.
Because of these regulations the military has a habit of confiscating and killings animals rescued by our troops rather than allowing our men and women of the Armed Forces who have sacrificed so much to adopt and take home the animals that have helped them through the horrors of war.
Our troops and their pets should not suffer anymore. Urge the military to rescind this part of GO-1A.
Ratchet was lucky. Tens of thousands of citizens just like you signed a petition urging clemency for Ratchet. And, after several tries the wonderful people of the SPCA International's Operation Baghdad Pup program were able to secure his release and bring him home to Minnesota where he now waits for Sgt. Beberg's return.
Many other dogs and cats of our brave service men and women still need our help. Everyone of us, no matter our opinion of the current war is, can support our troops by asking the Department of Defense to immediately end their policy against confiscating and killing our soldiers rescued pets.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
It is time that Americans ask the Veterans Administration and military to embrace the mental health of all our soldiers.
Urge the Department of Defense to reverse military policy about soldiers keeping pets.
Tell them that a policy that includes a vaccination campaign would not only be good for public health, but also good for the soldier's morale.
And, finally show a cooperative spirit with the efforts of rescue groups helping those soldiers who wish to adopt their pets and transport them back to America for safe keeping. The benefits to the soldiers returning from war to find their pet waiting their for them is undeniably beneficial to the soldier's mental and emotional well being.
Here is a : Sample Letter to DOD
Donations to - M.A.R.S. Safe Haven
U.S. Soldiers and their beloved pets need our help!
UPDATE:
Bandaid - rescued from Iraq, November 2008
SPCA International completed FIVE rescue missions into Iraq in March 2009. They hope to return to Iraq in May to rescue more dogs & cats for our soldiers before the heat embargoes go into effect.
Washington, DC, November 5 - Operation Baghdad Pups is a SPCA International (http://www.spca.com/) initiative created to provide medical care, clearance and transport for animals U.S. soldiers have come to love during deployment in the Middle East. Today, SPCA International successfully rescued a therapy dog from Iraq that has served hundreds of U.S. servicemen and women in their struggle to maintain mental stability during their deployment in Iraq. The dog was appropriately named Bandaid by mental health NCO SSG Luke Henry who befriended her and trained her to help comfort hundreds of soldiers on a base near Baghdad.
"Bandaid has helped me stay sane and has shown love to many other soldiers. I counsel as many as 15 soldiers a day, but Bandaid is often a better counselor than me. Her wagging tail can do more for soldiers than hours spent talking to me in some instances. One soldier walks a mile from the other side of the FOB just to see her," explains SSG Luke Henry.
Bandaid was rescued along with 3 other soldiers' dogs. All 4 dogs will arrive at Dulles International Airport in Virginia tomorrow afternoon.
Hundreds of U.S. soldiers in the Middle East befriend animals in the war zone to help themselves cope with the hardship and terror they face every day. These dogs and cats become their lifeline - saving them from deep depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The military refuses to formally recognize the lifeline these animals give to our mentally wounded soldiers.
SSG Luke Henry and his family request donations be made at www.SPCA.com to help more soldiers save the animals they love from the war zone. SPCA International is a non-profit animal welfare organization that has been helping U.S. troops rescue their pets since September 2007. Operation Baghdad Pups is sponsored by I Love Dogs, Inc (www.ilovedogs.com/) and funded entirely by generous donations from the public.
News from SPCA International, November 4, 2008
SPCA International's Operation Baghdad Pups will bring home 4 more dogs this Thursday, arriving at Washington Dulles. We will highlight one of the dog's stories tomorrow. Please donate to Operation Baghdad Pups and support our troops and their pets.
READ MORE:
General Order 1-A (GO-1A) is a set of regulations formulated by the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) in late 2000, prohibiting the keeping of animals stating the conduct is "prejudicial to the maintenance of good order and discipline of all forces."
The other provisions of GO-1A forbids alcohol in nations where its use is frowned upon; bars soldiers from entering sites of religious significance except under special order; bans drug use, pornography, and gambling; bars religious proselytizing; and criminalizes the theft or destruction of archaeological artifacts or national treasures and the taking of souvenirs. These are understandable provisions.
However, caring for an animal or pet should not be among these offenses. The military refuses to help or formally recognize the lifeline these animals give to our mentally wounded. Veterans returned from Iraq are committing suicide at twice the rate of average Americans.
We have heard from many service members in Iraq and Afghanistan seeking intervention in the fate of their rescued animals who are in grave danger of being confiscated and killed by military authorities. Soldiers have confirmed that the there is an order to kill dogs found on American bases in Iraq. Some military units were also ordered to shoot animals on sight.
The goodhearted service members are no less culpable in the eyes of military brass; those who breach the policy on pets face the threat of serious punishment, including reduction in rank and court-martial.
Hundreds of U.S. soldiers in the Middle East have befriended animals in the war zone to help themselves cope with the hardship and terror they face every day. These dogs and cats become their lifeline - saving them from deep depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The DOD's rationale behind this provision is also one of "public health concern" for which the DOD actually hired contractors to kills dogs and cats in Iraq. Perhaps a more humane approach should have been investing in the shipment and distribution of rabies vaccines rather than hiring contractors to kill animals. And, if a soldier decides to befriend a dog or cat, he or she should immediately apply for a vaccine to cement that friendship and make it a safer one.
We could minimize the risk created by shipping pets to the United States by requiring that no animals be sent from Iraq or Afghanistan unless vaccinated at least 30 days prior to entry and placed in an extended stateside quarantine for further observation.
Whatever its motivations for the confiscation and killing of animals, our government should do more to reconcile the imperatives of public health with the humane treatment of animals and the well being of its military personnel. The keeping of animals by soldiers is an American tradition, one that should be honored and celebrated. Even soldiers during the American Civil War had animal mascots. The GO-1A is a grim "about-face."
The military needs to do whatever it necessary to encourage and sustain the morale of the men and woman in our Armed Forces. Given all that we know about the mental health benefits of keeping companion animals, why not strive for a kinder and better solution for the soldiers who risk their lives each day? But there is an even larger purpose at issue. The military's current draconian approach is inconsistent with its own actions in helping to build an animal shelter to anchor the new animal welfare organization in Iraq. By honoring our soldiers' compassionate inclinations, we can set a better example for Iraqis who, it is to be hoped, will embrace animal welfare as an important element in the reconstruction of civil society in their nation.
FYI: During the Vietnam War the U.S. Military had 4,000 dogs working side by side with our troops every day - search and destroy missions, locating dead and wounded, locating mines and traps, for example. When the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam, it deemed these dogs that had given faithful service to our troops as now "expendable equipment."
Of the 4,000 dogs that were a part of our Armed Forces in Vietnam - only 200 made it back home. The rest were released into the wild to either roam in packs, be eaten by the Vietnamese people, and many (if not most) were killed.
We have heard from many Veterans, asking that we never allow this disregard for the importance of animals to our soldiers to ever happen again. Vietnam veterans are still haunted to this day by the memories of the dogs they were forced to leave behind. We all OWE it to the troops, our Veterans and those animals to make sure that ANY negative policy towards animals changes.
Thank you,
M.A.R.S. Safe Haven
http://www.mars-safehaven.net/
Mailing List: info@mars-safehaven.net
Share your stories about soldiers and their pets at:
stories@mar-safehaven.net
Saving Private Ratchet gear at: www.cafepress.com/ratchet22
All proceeds benefit the SPCA.
The people of M.A.R.S. Safe Haven, SPCA International and Care2.com are dedicated to the cause of helping soldiers adopt their pets and securing safe passage for them back to the U.S., as well as efforts to rescind the current military policy towards soldiers and animals, prohibiting such actions.
Remarks to the Daughters of the American Revolution (Washington, D.C.)
As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Washington, D.C., Friday, July 11, 2008
"...And, of course... One group leads an international effort to bring back to the United States dogs that have been adopted in theater ... and that units are loath to leave behind. It may seem a small thing, but in the midst of war, cats and dogs become part of the unit. As one soldier said, Even the gnarliest dudes turn to putty around...our dogs."
Sponsors of the Clemency for Ratchet petition
www.thepetitionsite.com/2/clemency-for-ratchet
Sources:
http://www.spca.com/
ONLINE PETITIONS CAN AND DO WORK:
See for yourself -
News stories from Ratchet petition:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article4958594.ece
http://www.8statekate.net/wordpress/?p=409
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/clemency-for-ratchet - RATCHET PETITION
Any of these puppies, and dogs need a loving home just any other animal or human.
Whatever rationalization is trotted out to support this archaic and heartless General Order needs to be shelved right quick and in a hurry...this is such a little thing to give to our soldiers...such a little thing but with such a huge impact for those involved... Please?
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM: http://www.ovma.org Medical studies on the human-animal bond reveal that pet owners are more likely to have reduced stress levels, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. They also experience fewer heart attacks than people without pets. Researchers have found that the mere presence of an animal has a beneficial effect on heart function, and stroking and talking to a pet reduces blood pressure and stress. Many hospitals and retirement homes engage in animal therapy. This may involve visits from volunteer animals or a pet that is kept at the facility. Seniors with pets are much less lonely than non-pet owners. Consequently, they do not make unnecessary visits their doctor out of loneliness. A study of women undergoing stress tests demonstrated that the presence of a dog had a greater effect on lowering blood pressure than the presence of friends. Companion animals also provide psychological benefits. Pets are sympathetic, supportive and non-judgemental listeners. Pets provide us with a distraction from our worries; they encourage social interaction and provide a soothing presence
For more impact, add a personal comment here
IM a Army wife our husbands deserve to be able to keep their friend they have in a animal there i think they deserve it
Saving these animals is what separates us from the terrorists. By rescuing them we show what kind of people we are: loving and compassionate.
The human / animal bond is priceless. Our soldiers give up so much, don't make them give up their companions too! These pets have not only been a lifeline to the soldiers, but the soldiers have been a lifeline to them!
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11:33 am PST, Jan 14,
Berni Joubert, Australia
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A cause that needs everyone's support...please help!!
Let's treat our troops and their pets with compassion. They both deserve it!
Pets are beneficial to everyone's well-being. Allowing our soldiers to bring their pets home will not only save the pet's life, but will be of great psychological benefit to the soldier who has cared for the cat or dog.
Please do the humane thing for all of our service individuals and animals and allow them to remain together.
I AM CURRANTLY DEPOLYED TO THE MIDLE EAST.I AM TAKING CARE OF THREE CATS.THEY ARE NO HARM TO NO ONE.I WISH THAT WHEN MY TIME IS UP HERE I COULD TAKE THEM WITH ME CAUSE THERE WILL BE NO ONE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.ANMIALS NEED OUR HELP TO.I BELIEV THY ARE ALSO VICTIMS OF WAR.
It has been proven that animals are a positive influence on the mental and emotional health of human beings. How can we deny our soldiers that comfort in a time that they desperately need relief. Animals can touch the deepest part of our lives that sometimes another human being can't.
well, i am not a military personal. but after reading all the post, i think i'll sign up to help as well. 1 thing i learn from keeping a pet dog, is never to get a dog again. coz it hurts so much when my dog ( Sweetdy ) died few years ago from old age. she had been my best friend for almost 10 years. it was hard to let her go...
as a ex military working dog handler i find GO1A apalling. vets are cheaper to employ and vacinate these dogs and cats who sevice men turn to to deal with stess. if these animals help save the lives of our service men and women by helping to prevent suicides. what will it take some realy depressed soldier to snap and kill his fellow soldiers when he comes back off patrol and finds out his dog was killed by base vector control? a dog or cat that helps a soldier though a sressful day is cheap compare to if he snaps and takes out other service mens life
What kind of policy wouldn't allow our Military to bring home dogs or cats found in Iraq. It is very beneficial to the sanity of our troops that these animals remain with the soldiers who come across them. It is also very important for the animals to have a decent life. LET THE SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN BRING THEM HOME!!!!!
PLEASE, these wonderful men and women are already putting their lives on the line for our freedom. Can they not have just this smallest of things that makes them happy?
I truly believe that soldiers with pets will recover faster physically and mentally. Tough men and women have a special softness for animals and those animals in turn find a way to heal our heroes. I would think that the military would want ANYTHING that would best serve our troops.
In my personal opinion, animals have feelings just as people do and it is a shame that they can not have a voice on their behalf to help save more lives.
Help those who help us bring home all of the friends that have seen them through difficult times. In a place where our soldiers may question humanity, let's not reinforce bad behaviour by killing the animals they have come to love or forcing them to leave the animals behind. We don't give our vets much - why not this?
Please honor our troops and the animals they have been caring for. Rescue their pets and send them to families awaiting their soldier's return. Let's do what is right - not what we did in WWII and Viet Nam with pets and service dogs.
I'm very disappointed to learn that after all these dogs do for us, they are being treated this way. They have fought for our freedom just like our soldiers. We should be responsible to see to it that they "retire" properly....at least be brought home to the US!!!!
Our soldiers fight hard.The confort they recieve from the animals they love should be allowed to return home with them.
To Whom It May Concern, As a long time mental health clinician (20+ years) I urge you to rescind General Order 1-A (GO-1A). Research efforts are providing indisputable evidence that caring for animals is an effective way of assisting individuals who are tramuatized or who experience serious stress to cope with their stressors, regulate emotion and alleviate symptoms of depression. It seems that you have a number of service members who have realized this already, and who are taking steps to remain psychologically stable during stressful deployments. This general order disrupts this process of self-care and self-healing, and contributes to negative mental health symptoms. You have a gold mine of mental health that your people are opting into, and yet you are not even recognizing it! Please consider my comments and look at this issue more closely, from both a research oriented and a clinical perspective. I would be happy to either submit a reserach report to you summarizng the findings mentioned above, or to write a literature review tailored to your specifications. Please consider this, and please consider trusting the instincts of some of your most compassionate service members. Sincerely, Amrit Daryanani, PhD
Pets provide immense confort. It would be tragic to victimize those pets by taking their masters away. It would be a great travesty to victimize our soldiers by taking their companions away.
These men and women have been asked to go to a never ending war zone and sacrifice their safety to keep Americans safe. Each day these men and women go through horrid tragedies watching civilians, team memebers, and animals be killed and we the United States Armed Forces expect none of this to effect them??? Then they befriend an animal and then have it striped from them and then it is killed because it befriend a solider who needed a friend in a time when life is the toughest! This is NOT right!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please change this awful policy and let these men and women who have left their life as they know it here in the States to protect us in this never ending war zone bring these animals that have kept them sane bring these animals back with them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. -Mahatma Gandhi-
The emotional and moral support of having another living breathing being near is a God send.... even if 'ONLY' an animal. The "pet" term is questionable in that many times these creatures have become family members and the one being who is in commute with the emotional and or mental well being of the individual with whom it has bonded as well as the other way around. It is no less than animal cruelty to abandon & kill animals who have become accustomed to being housed loved and fed. Barbaric!!! This is a tragedy that is not only sad, but downright embarrassing as an American.
bring these pets home after they have helped each other is the only right thing to do!
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” -Mahatma Gandhi Americans were horrified when watching coverage of wars overseas to see men of TWO DIFFERENT nations using a helpless donkey for target practice. MINDLESS killing. Now we know of our own military leaders ordering the brutal killing of animals whose very existence helps our soldiers, our relatives, our friends, our fellow Americans survive the emotional/mental rigor of war. Shame! Shame! We are watching. We cheer the fighting men and women with the heart, soul and evolved social sense to save hapless animals--the act of which saves them more than the O So Limited military care they would receive after the fact. Save the soldiers by saving the animals. Save both. Evolve into a superior life organism. Now.
DON'T compound the horrors of war by separating adopted buddies from their humans and killing them to boot. Thanking our troops by allowing them to keep adopted buddies is the least we can do!
