Dogs on Duty: Soldiers' Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond

by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent

When the news of the raid on Osama Bin Laden's compound broke, the SEAL team member that stole the show was a highly trained canine companion. Throughout history, dogs have been key contributors to military units. Dorothy Hinshaw Patent follows man's best friend onto the battlefield, showing readers why dogs are uniquely qualified for the job at hand, how they are trained, how they contribute to missions, and what happens when they retire. With full-color photographs throughout and sidebars featuring heroic canines throughout history, Dogs on Duty provides a fascinating look at these exceptional soldiers and companions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Picture Books, Animals, War, Military Fiction, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 4, 2012

About the author

As a child, my favorite activity was exploring nature, especially finding animals like frogs, toads, and lizards. I kept tropical fish, had a dog, and loved riding horses. My love of animals led to a Ph.D. degree from U.C. Berkley in Zoology. In grad school I met and married fellow student Greg Patent. Our two sons, David and Jason, were born before we finished school. I wanted to use my training and my knowledge, but I also wanted to raise my sons and be there for them when they needed me. I decided that writing the kind of books I'd always loved reading was a good solution to my dilemma, and that turned out to be true. One of my favorite things is learning new "stuff," and every time I tackle a new book project I get to indulge myself in that passion. I'm a lucky gal!

Fast forward to the present. Our sons are grown and have their own families. We live in Missoula, MT, where Greg is now a food writer (http://www.thebakingwizard.com) and a radio personality (httpp://www.mtpr.org--look for Food Guys). My writing has expanded to other nonfiction topics, especially ones dealing with the Westward Expansion period of U.S. history. I've taught writing classes in many venues, visited schools in most U.S. states, attended many conferences for teachers and librarians, won a number of awards, and had great travel adventures in pursuit of my subject matter.

Reviews

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent nonfiction book, easy reading, very interesting, about dogs as part of our military. I certainly didn't know that dogs can be trained to parachute jump, that they stand guard when a soldier is sleeping, that they carry real time cameras to transmit information, that they can detect underground tunnels--in addition to detecting land mines and drugs and carrying out the search and rescue functions we've all heard about. We also learn about the history of dogs in military situations. I especially like the picture of Stubby, a dog veteran of WWI, wearing his army coat pinned with dozens of medals.

The text explains how dogs are selected as puppies, how they're trained and--very important--socialized, the bonds between dogs and their handlers, and what happens if the dogs get injured or too old to work (they're given to their handlers or to families, sometimes the families that fostered them as puppies). There are lots of pictures to illustrate the text and a glossary at the back to explain the military acronyms in case the reader forgets.

Amazon says this book is for grades 3-6 but I think it's appropriate for almost any age. With an adult to explain them, the pictures are appropriate for younger children; just because the subject is fascinating, the text will be interesting to older readers as well.

The only objection I have, and it's not a very strong objection, is that the text is printed on red, blue, and yellow pages. I found the blue pages not to have as much contrast as I would have liked and I had to make sure I had a good reading light. Most readers won't notice.

[Teresa Scherping Moulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a dog lover, you already know what amazing companions dogs can be. But did you know that they can be a vital part of wartime and security? Dogs have been a part of military operations since ancient times, but more recently they have been specially trained to make full use of their special abilities. Today there are dogs working in many areas of the US military - from sniffing out drugs and explosives to patrolling for safety to capturing fleeing suspects. Military Working Dogs (MWDs) can go places where humans cannot, identify a huge array of smells, see well in near darkness, and navigate rough terrain. MWDs can even be trained to parachute out of planes! Learn about the training of these special dogs and their handlers, the important work that they do, and the stories of some of the most heroic among them.

I have a HUGE soft spot for dogs, so of course I enjoyed this book. It was really interesting to learn about the training these dogs receive and how important they can be in the military. It's estimated that during their time in a war zone, a typical Specialized Search Dog (who performs tasks like searching out IEDs) will save the lives of 150 servicemen and women! There are also some poignant, sad moments in the book, like the story of a fallen Marine whose MWD crawled on top of him to protect him after he was fatally shot. This book just reaffirmed my belief that dogs are extraordinary animals and that humans and dogs were made to be partners.

I would recommend this book for grades 3-5, especially those who are interested in dogs and/or the military. I think this could be a good choice for reluctant readers as well. Readalikes might include Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle by Brian Dennis and Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond between a Soldier and his Service Dog by Luis Carlos Montalvan.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about the history of service dogs with a focus on dogs in the military. Covering a timeline from as far back as the first military dog, to the dog used when Navy SEALs conducted the raid on Osama bin Laden, it is very through in information even though the book is fairly short. The book also covers where service dogs come from, their training, and where they go when they are taken out of service. This is a great book to spark interest in future military dog handlers and very informative to command respect for our 4 legged officers.

Grades 4 and up would enjoy this book.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for any dog book, but one about dogs in the military? I pored over each page, teared up a bit on more than a few. Attractively designed, plenty of dogs in action shots, this one is sure to please.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Informative, with great pictures and a solid list of additional resources in the back. Dogs are awesome.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

And now I'm crying. Good doggos.

[Daniel Herrera]

The book Dogs on Duty,by Dorothy Hinshaw patent is a great book to be read by all ages. It is about how dogs get trained to do certain things. They talk about how they are trained to sniff bombs and have combat training . There are also some short story´s of dogs and there owners. One short story is talking about how A dog named Nemo was the only dog left and he was a helping hand to soldier. This book was a great book.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Fiction Twin Text: Title: Me & Jack, Author: Danette Haworth, Copyright: 2011
2. Rationale: Both of these stories involve dogs that have military ties or military family background. The book Dogs on Duty is all about how dogs are trained to work and help in the military from early war until now. Me & Jack is about a boy whose father is in the military and he finds friendship and solace in his adopted dog Jack. His dad is a recruiter for the Air Force when the Vietnam War breaks out. I feel that Me & Jack would pair nicely as a read aloud or literature circle activity to show the correlation between dogs and the military and dogs and military families. These books show that dogs are an important part of both helping in the military and providing friendships when family members aren’t able to be present due to war.
3. Text Structure/Strategy: The main text structures of Dogs on Duty are description and chronological sequence. The book describes the steps dogs and handlers have to take to make themselves ready to be a Military Working Dog (MWD). It also shows the chronological sequence from start to finish to prepare dogs to become a MWD. Also included in the book is established sequence of how MWD have been present since World War I. The content area reading strategy I would use in the classroom is synthesize new information by having students create some sort of graphic organizer to present the new information they learned about Military War Dogs. This could be done in a variety of ways either using a web or creating a web based application like popplet or Venn diagram to show their learning about MWD or to compare a military dog to Jack in Me & Jack. This would also show compare and contrast of two dog characters one being a military dog, and the other being a pet dog of a military family.
4. Review Citation: (2012, September 1). School Library Journal. http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=7...

[Oak Lawn Public Library - Youth Services · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lexile Level: NC1190L

Length: 48 pgs

Summary: Dogs in the military have been considered more like equipment than fellow soldiers since they started utilizing their services many years ago. This book briefly discuses the history and current uses of dogs. It also touches on why are they are so important to the troops and what happens after service.

Recommendations or Comments: This book was nominated for the Caudill & Bluestem Awards. The lexile level for this book makes you think its an older youth book, but I think it's appropriate for 3rd grade and up. Like other books I have been reviewing lately, adult discussion to dig deeper is recommended.

Stars: 3 of 5

Reviewed By: Emily K.



Getting Kids to Read Non-Fiction Entry:

Grade Level: 3+

Pages: 48

Summary: A brief history of Military Working Dogs (MWDs), especially those from the United States from World War I to the present. It details their use in finding explosives and detecting intruders, explains the rigorous training of both dogs and handlers, and provides capsule profiles of “hero hounds.”

Recommendations / Comments: This may interest both dog lovers and those fascinated by the military and law enforcement. It’s a quick, interesting read that is entirely positive in its depiction of using animals in warfare. This summer’s iRead theme, Paws to Read, will include materials and illustrations about military working dogs, partly because iRead is the summer reading program for the armed forces.

Stars: 4 out of 5

Reviewed by: Tom

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone knows I'm a sucker for a dog book, but that doesn't make me a softy when it comes to reviews. But this was really a notch above most kids books. It certainly isn't for small children, it deals factually with the realities of war and the many reasons why military dogs are so helpful. But that's also what's so good about it. It's one of the most informative books for children that I've read. And I really like that it doesn't talk down to them. It uses language and ideas that are appropriate but is very honest at the same time. There is no agenda here, it isn't political in any way. It's just very interesting and very informative and very inspiring. And the pictures are wonderful as well. But parents should definitely read it before their kids to make sure that their kids are emotionally prepared for it; there are a couple of sad items that they should be aware of before their kids read it to make sure they want to let them read it or are prepared to answer any questions they may have. I think both items were handled appropriately and I can see why the author thought that it was an important part of the history to include them in the book. But parents should be aware that it isn't just a fluffy, light book and make their own decisions about what they think is right for their kids, of course.

[Allison James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nonfiction text: "Dogs on Duty: Soldiers' Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond", 0802728464 copyright 2012. Throughout American History, dogs have been an active part of the military. From Stubby, World War One veteran, to the canines who work in our modern military, "Dogs on Duty" details how dogs complete complex tasks, aid human military members, and even how they might retire. This book is an interesting read that could expand the child's knowledge of military jargon as well as their vocabulary. It pairs well with the fiction text "Officer Buckle and Gloria" by Peggy Rathmann. Officer Buckle is a member of the police department dedicated to teaching children how to be safe, assisted by the always handy and entertaining Gloria the police dog! Assisted by her spunk and pantomimes, Officer Buckle and Gloria succeed in teaching local children not to stand on swivel chairs and to always wipe up slips and falls. The two can only find success as a team, the way real life dog/human duos do in the military. The nonfiction text provides a lot of background and a factual basis while "Officer Buckle and Gloria" enthralls the reader with it's comedic value. For that reason the two texts make a great pair.

[Randy Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Osama Bin Laden was taken down by Seal Team Six one of their members was a Belgian Malinois, and so we are introduced into the world of the MWD and their history with the armed forces.
First used in World War one, they were not used by the allied forces as much as the aggressors, but in WW2 they expanded greatly.
Vietnam seen a wide and expanded use of MWWD as they patroled bases, search out demolitions and even went on patrol, ferretting out the hidden tunnels and even the thin wires that lead to booby traps.
We are introduced into the search and selection of MWD and even the Military breeding the Belgian though not all puppies are Military material.
We learn of the heroes of the MWD, Stubby in WW1,Chips in WW2,Nemo during Vietnam, and Eli in Afghanistan. The MWD is a vital though often over looked part of our Military Force. May they always perform and always be appriciated and their sacrifices remembered.

This was a quick read but informative and very enjoyable, and a good start for encouraging our youth to read, learn and perhaps join as MWD handlers.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting with a dramatic of a soldier and his dog jumping from an aircraft into the Gulf of Mexico and the story of Cario, the Belgian Malinos dog who was a member of the Navy SEAL Team that attacked Osama Bin Laden hideout in May 2011, Patent briefly tells the history of dogs in warfare by allied forces from the first World War through Vietnam, including canine heroes from these wars. She then goes into depth about the training of Military War Dogs (MWDs) and their handlers at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Sure to be a delight to young fans of military nonfiction books, there’s also information and illustrations of the dog’s gear: doggles (the canine equivalent of goggles) to protect their eyes, a special vests with night vision cameras and radios, booties for foot protection in ice and snow, and armored vests for protection. This is an excellent, informative, colorful and up-to-date book on the subject.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did you know that thousands of dogs have served in the Unites States military? Dogs on Duty explains some of the duties and missions dogs are assigned, how they are raised and trained, and what happens to them after they retire. This is a straightforward nonfiction text that will appeal to both dog-lovers and military enthusiasts, a great choice for reluctant readers interested in those topics, and likely to appeal to guy readers. Plenty of photos illustrate the text, giving readers a picture of what life in the military is like for these canines. A handful of exceptional military dogs are recognized in sidebars throughout the book.

Readalikes: Intrigued by the subject of dogs in the military? Try the novel Letters From Wolfie by Patti Sherlock for a look at one boy's experience lending his dog to the Vietnam War effort.

For more information about working dogs, try Dog Heroes by Mary Pope Osborne or books in Bearport's Dog Heroes series.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book sized book that is loaded -- appropriately enough -- with dozens of photos of actual Military Working Dogs (MWDs) from World War to the present. The book discusses how dogs were used in WWI as messengers and Red Cross dogs to aid the wounded, recruited in WWII to be sentries or scouts, and used on patrols during the Vietnam War to uncover the Vietcong's elaborate tunnels and booby traps. The book also discusses how MWDs are trained today to overcome obstacles, search for firearms and explosives, and even parachute out of planes. I loved the photos of modern dogs wearing their heavy assault armor and "doggles" (military dog goggles). The picture book format, photos, and light amount of text make this a good book for grades 3-6. In grades 5-6, consider pairing with a fiction story about dogs in wartime like Letters from Wolfie (Vietnam) or Saving Zasha (WWII Russia; on the 2015 Caudill list).

[Jessica Schuerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

(2015 Blue Stem)
If your looking for information about war/heroic dogs this is the book to look at. This book talks about different breeds of dogs that have trained to protect and detect hiding explosives. It also talks about how the trained the dogs to jump out of air planes, to keep guard, and many more. In the book it also talks about how a dog had stronger senses than a human does. Not only do they have strong senses, but they are used as messengers. They can relay messages back and forth to officers. Therefore all of these dogs in the boot have helped out and saved people who are in the wars.

This book would be a good book for a student who is doing research about dogs. This is not a story that is meant to read a lot loud, because it more just informational. I learned a lot about dogs that I didn't know before reading this book. I gave this book 5 stars because I learned a lot from it.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book! It is written for children but I have it displayed in a prominent place in our home. The photos are wonderful and the brief explanations are clear, concise, and accurate.

We foster Military Working Dog puppies from Lackland afb in San Antonio, and really enjoyed how this book explained the importance of these dogs and how they help our soldiers. It is impressive to see for ourselves at Lackland how respectfully these dogs are treated and how much they are loved by the staff from the whelping kennels, to the veterinary hospital, the handlers, and the folks who handle adoptions for the dogs who are not suited to the work or those retiring with honor after years of service.

It's impressive how well the program and the dogs are described in this brief, simple, lovely book!

[Jim Erekson · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is interesting is that there is enough information on dogs in the military to be interesting! A highly focused topic, but sustained by many pictures and a pseudo-story arc that leads from basic information about working dogs and their training to specific cases of MWD (military working dogs) in recent conflicts in Afghanistan.

Red white and blue graphic design by Regina Roff is mixed with a slightly annoying yellow for a breakout story on almost every double page spread. While the color is a bit too stark, the yellow graphic device does set off the expectation that there will be a complete story on each page in that box. This makes it good differentiated text, with the possibility for a successful reading experience on a single page.

The photos and these single stories are what made this book an engaging aesthetic experience for me.

[Kathryn Mockerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appeal: Intermediate readers

I chose this book because most children love dogs. This should be a great option for any child who needs an introductory book to nonfiction on a subject that they love. I liked that the text wasn't just set in huge blocks, but separated into easy to read chunks. There are also beautiful pictures. The book should be a great nonfiction option for military kids.

Twin text: Digger: The Dog Who Went to War by Mark Wilson

I chose this book as the twin text because it covers the same subjects of dogs in the military, but it has a different spin on it that would make reading both books feel less repetitive. This fiction tale is different than the nonfiction stories about dogs specifically trained for the military. It's a more personable story that goes into the emotions of how war affects this unique relationship between a man and his dog.

[Sarah]

Nonfiction/Twin Text Entry #4
Genre: Informational
Target audience: Intermediate
This book depicts dogs as both soldiers and companions and informs the reader on how dogs are trained in the military. It features many photographs and stories about heroic dogs throughout history.
I paired this book with Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Although this story takes place nowhere near a battlefield and features a less-than-obedient dog, the storyline shares the element of friendship from a dog that is also seen in the nonfiction book. The nonfiction book focuses on the relationship between dogs and soldiers while the fiction book focuses on the relationship between a mischievous dog named Winn-Dixie and a 10-year-old girl named Opal. Despite the contrast in the circumstances of each book, they both demonstrate that the strong bond that forms between humans and dogs is universal.

[Dina Trekas · Rating 4 out of 5]

So a few months ago I was listening to NPR and they were talking about this exact topic. I think it's so interesting and something that never gets addressed in history classes. I think it's remarkable that families would volunteer a dog into active duty. Dogs are family members. On the radio they interviewed some families who volunteered dogs into WWII. The interviews were so emotional and heartfelt. I wish this book spent a little more time talking about the dogs from WWI and WWII, but overall I really liked it. I am glad I have a copy for my classroom. It's an interesting non-fiction book for my students to read.

[Joanne Zienty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is currently on both the ISLMA 2015 Bluestem Award list AND the Rebecca Caudill list. 'Nuff said? It's a well-written, solidly researched look at WMDs - Military Working Dogs. It takes the reader through a brief history of the roles dogs have played in aiding soldiers, examines the selection and training processes, and life after war for these canine heroes. The author includes brief vignettes about individual "hero" dogs and their achievements, beginning with "Stubby" in World War I. A natural pick for dog-lovers, but most readers will be caught in the little-known stories of these previously unsung heroes.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dogs on Duty chronicles the history of Military Working Dogs (MWDs) with straightforward detail and anecdotes. The author does not shy away from the grim consequences of war, and yet, the essential question as to whether it is moral to use dogs to fight manmade conflicts is unexplored. Perhaps this is best left to the critical reader. For older readers, this pairs well with This American Life's story narrated by Susan Orleans: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio...

[Njblack · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wonderful photographs in this book drew my attention immediatly. I believe this book could be used for a wide variety audience from young children using visual reading strategies with the great pictures to teens/tweens interested in animals/working dogs or the military. I would make this book available especially during times such as Veteren's Day and other patriotic holidays to help my audience become familiar with the aspect of miliutary working dogs and what they mean to their handlers.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many of you have dogs at home? How many of you would trust your dog with your life if you were in trouble?

Well, if you were ever curious about what kind of role dogs play on the battlefield and in the military in general, this is the book for you. For many years, dogs have been vital to the work and safety of our men and women serving in all branches of the military. So, while you’ll learn all about how dogs train for service, you’ll also hear incredible stories of friendship, heroism and bravery among MWDs (military working dogs) and their soldier companions.

[Jessica Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book enlightens children to the inner duties of dogs who help out our troops of soldiers each and every day. This book helps to enlighten children on how dogs can be trained and help law enforcement fulfill their duties while at war. This author went deep into the duties of the military to find a kid friendly subject that is a bright side to some of the uglier parts of war. Also the author included a bit of history to each pager showing dogs that have made a difference in history. A fun book to learn from and also enjoy!

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm brave enough to admit that I teared up a few times while reading this book. There's just something about a soldier and his dog. Essentially the book goes through the history of service dogs (WWI, WWII, Vietnam and the current wars), then goes into detail on how the dogs are trained. There are little vignetted stories of individual dogs and their owners (insert crying here). The book also includes photographs of dogs in training and actual photos of combat situations and downtime with the dogs.

D'Awwwwww.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most civilians do not realize the tremendous work and sacrifice dogs have given to our Armed Forces...from their uncanny ability to sniff out explosives and arms, to giving comfort and companionship to their fellow military men and women, these dogs provide an invaluable service to our country.

Dogs on Duty: Soldiers' Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond is a brief look at the training, assistance, and military duty these companions go through to become a most valued member of the troop.

Includes a Glossary, Index, Sources, and Further Reading section in the back pages.

[Cole Bearrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary

A fun story written about dogs that have served in the army! This story features dogs from different breeds, service branches and countries!

Evaluation

Very entertaining, will keep students focused on their reading. Short, concise sentences.

Teaching Ideas

This could be used to teach students about the military and that we sometimes use animals to protect our nation.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully done and a must buy for libraries and schools. Clear text explains the history of dogs in the military, their special abilities, training and how their duties have evolved and expanded. Clear appealing photographs make this irresistible. I greatly appreciated the information about the training and treatment of the dogs. Kids will love this!