Tails of Hope Co-sponsors Float Honoring Military War Dogs

Park Ridge, NJ, November 1, 2012 –Military War Dogs (MWDs) will receive their first Veterans Day tribute at this year’s New York City Veterans Day Parade on a float co-sponsored by Tails of Hope Foundation, based in Park Ridge, NJ. The float is the brainchild of Linda Blick of Tails of Hope Foundation, an umbrella organization for a number of groups supporting animal causes, including Finding One Another, which provides financial support and recognition for the extraordinary work done by working dogs of all types.

The MWD float, entitled “Honoring Military Working Dogs Service to America,” will bring recognition to the courageous dogs who have served in every major American conflict since the War of 1812. The historically themed float features re-enactors dressed in vintage military uniforms from every war in which MWDs played a part, along with representatives of the many dog breeds that served, including German Shepherd, Doberman, Belgian Malinois, and mixed breed dogs.

The parade, which takes place on Sunday, November 11, is the largest Veterans Day event in the nation, with 28,000 marchers. More than 660,000 spectators are expected to turn out to watch the parade proceed up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, with live TV coverage to 10 states and to the armed forces worldwide.

“We are honored to be able to co-sponsor this tribute to the crucial tasks performed by military working dogs historically and right up to today’s service in Afghanistan,” Blick said. “So many of these dogs gave their lives in service to this country that it’s the least we can do to honor them on this important occasion.”

Also represented will be supporting civilian patriot organizations including Jr. MWDs from the Youth Ambassador K9 Career Program (YAP), and several Pilots ‘n’ Paws pilots with replica military airplanes. These civilian patriot groups support the military through their individual programs.

Produced by the United War Veterans Council, the parade will air on Fox affiliate stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Washington, DC, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Orlando, and Baltimore, with a projected viewership of millions. It will also be aired worldwide on Armed Forces Television Network to every military base and ships at sea with an additional potential audience of 1.3 million service men and women.

Military working dogs have been serving in the military in various critical roles since America’s founding. Professional MWD K9’s have served as border patrols, sentries, scouts, detectors (drugs, explosives, enemies, cave clearing), mascots, messengers combat tracks, and water and guard dogs, etc.

For more information, go to tailsofhopefoundation.org. For information about the Veterans Day parade, go to www.uwvc.org.