[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H1370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMEMORATING K9 VETERANS DAY

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize this past Saturday, March 13, as K9 Veterans Day, an 
opportunity to commemorate the working dogs that support our men and 
women in uniform.
  This year marks the 79th anniversary of the establishment of the K9 
Corps. In 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Army began 
training for the K9 Corps, originally known as the War Dog Program. In 
the years that passed, the K9 Corps has become a vital part of our 
Armed Forces operations.
  Perhaps one of the well-known military K9s is Conan, whose efforts 
led to the success of the 2019 al-Baghdadi raid.
  Following their service, these retired dogs often serve as support 
animals to servicemembers who may be suffering from PTSD and other 
disabilities, both mental and physical.
  Madam Speaker, our veterans can greatly benefit from the assistance 
and companionship that a dog provides, and our K9 veterans benefit from 
their newfound forever homes. Our K9 veterans have served our country, 
and they, too, deserve to be honored for their service.

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