As the U.S. celebrates those who serve for Veterans Day (November 11), country star Miranda Lambert is making sure we remember the dogs who serve them, too.
Her MuttNation Foundation has made a generous donation of $20,000 to the US War Dogs Association, an organization which honors and supports more than 1,100 retired military service dogs across the country with a number of programs, including a free prescription medication program for the dogs. And Lambert’s support came from an unlikely connection.
Just a few weeks back, Lambert was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, and the ceremony included honors for a departed military hero — a service dog named Lucca. Lucca served with bravery and distinction for six years with tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan before suffering a leg amputation after an IED explosion, but that tragedy led her to reunite with her original handler, Retired Master Sergeant Chris Willingham. Willingham then went on to become the President of the US War Dogs Association, where he met Lambert.
“I’ve always known that service dogs – especially military dogs – are extraordinary animals. When I heard Lucca’s story, I knew MuttNation should be involved,” Miranda Lambert says. “I met Master Sergeant Chris Willingham, who is now President of US War Dogs Association, and the whole experience was something I couldn’t – and didn’t want to forget. More importantly, I knew MuttNation could help.”
The foundation’s donation will now help the retired K9 service members who mean so much to their families, and have sacrificed much in our name. But Willingham says it goes behind that.
“When I met Miranda, she showed a genuine interest and compassion for the military working dog community,” says Willingham. “MuttNation’s generous donation is providing more than support for our retired dogs – because if you take care of the dog, you are taking care of the Veteran on the other end of the leash.”