Paws of Freedom: How Dogs Serve Our Nation
Anant Singh | Aug 19, 2025, 08:16 IST
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Highlight of the story: When a person talks about protectors of a country, they always think of soldiers, police, rescue teams, but they forget the War Paws, our service dogs. The most loyal human companion who works alongside the humans in the force. They keep the country safe in a way in which only they can.
Brave Companions in the Army
Rescue dog bonding with h
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Dogs are more than pets in the Indian Army, they are an integral part of the force. These companions are trained at the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) which has its centre in Meerut. They are trained to track enemies, tackle explosives, guard important areas and also rescue the hostages.
There are a few popular breeds in the Army which include
German Shepherds – Expert in guarding, tracking, and detecting threats in challenging terrains.Labradors – Highly skilled in sniffing out explosives, narcotics, and aiding in search-and-rescue.Belgian Malinois – Agile and fearless, ideal for fast, high-risk combat and detection missions Army dogs help in finding weapons, in alerting soldiers, and catching infiltrators in our border areas like Jammu & Kashmir and the North East.
The skill and ability of a dog often prevents attacks before they happen, saving countless number of lives. These soldiers stand by their handlers in every situation that they are in. Serving the nation is a way of life for them.
Keeping Our Cities Safe
Training session
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Dogs are enrolled in the
CRPF – Central Reserve Police ForceCISF – Central Industrial Security ForceBSF – Border Security ForceWhere they are trained to detect and sniff out explosives, contraband, and narcotics from places humans can’t reach. Dogs are often spotted at railway stations, airports, and public events. The sniffing ability of the dogs are at par with or even higher than modern technology.
BSF have trained dogs to patrol borders, in tough terrains like deserts and forests. Criminals and smugglers get discouraged when they find out dogs are posted in an area.
Heroes in Disasters
Search and rescue dog
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National Disaster response Force (NDRF) also has dogs serving in times of natural disasters. They are trained to search for citizens stuck under debris, buildings or collapsed concrete structures. At times of disaster dogs can find out clues which the humans miss out on. Their actions mean the difference between life and death of humans.
The friendly wag of a dog’s tail can relief the stress of a human in seconds, they bring comfort and happiness into the life of people going through dark times.
Helping Soldiers Heal
Therapy Rottweiler bondin
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Apart from active duty, dogs also help our soldiers after they return from service. Some soldiers suffer from trauma or injuries, and trained therapy dogs can make their recovery easier. They provide comfort, reduce stress, and give emotional support to those who have seen difficult times.
Dogs are also used in post service situations. They are the therapists who have nothing to say, but say a lot with their presence. Trained Therapy Dogs, make recovery of a personnel easier and quicker at times.
These soldiers create a safe space for the traumatised and injured, they fill in a void which was made during service in the battlefield. A gentle nudge of a dog or their wagging tail is the first step towards healing.
Life After Service
Retired service dog enjoy
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Service dogs did not always have an easy life after retirement. But now the army and the paramilitary forces have allowed civilians to adopt these soldiers and give them all the comforts in life.
Axel, a soldier who lost his life during the anti-terror operation in 2022 reminds us of their courage and bravery. They might not wear medals, but their bravery is as real as any other soldier in the army.
More Than Just Animals
Man sharing a heartfelt m
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Dogs serve because of their loyalty, not for medals, fame, ranks and uniforms, reason being they’re a man’s best friend. From the glaciers of Siachen to the busy streets of our capital city, they guard our nation without asking for any rewards.
Their courage is silent and love is unconditional. Every mission that they undertake, they remind us that service comes from the heart, not from the hope of rewards.
We the citizens of India, owe these companions and soldiers some gratitude.
“They may stand short on 4 legs, but stand tall in our nation’s security”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How are dogs trained for the Indian Army and security forces?
Dogs are trained at the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre in Meerut, where they learn to sniff out explosives, track enemies, detect narcotics, guard sensitive areas, and assist in rescue operations.Which dog breeds are commonly used in the Indian Army?
The most popular breeds include German Shepherds, known for their guarding and tracking abilities; Labradors, excellent at sniffing out explosives and aiding in search-and-rescue; and Belgian Malinois, prized for their agility and fearlessness in high-risk missions.What happens to Army dogs after they retire?
Retired Army and police dogs are now allowed to be adopted, often by their handlers or approved civilians.