Heroic U.S. Marine Corps Dog Awarded The Top Medal After Losing Leg On Patrol In Afghanistan

It’s not only brave men and women putting their lives on the line for the freedoms we enjoy in this great country. There are also our dependable and valiant canine friends who are in the most dangerous hot spots in the world doing their unimaginably difficult jobs day in and day out. These service dogs deserve our admiration, and for Lucca, she earned a medal for her valor. But not just any award, she earned “the highest award any animal in the world can achieve while serving in military conflict.”

Lucca is a retired U.S. Marine Corps dog who served gallantly and completed 400 treacherous missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, sniffing out explosives and protecting “the lives of thousands of allied troops.” She was a prolific service dog during her tenure and there were no human casualties during any of her patrols. Sadly, Lucca was forced out of service when she lost one of her legs while hunting for homemade bombs in Afghanistan’s Helmand province in March 2012.

“The explosion was huge and I immediately feared the worst for Lucca,” said Cpl. Juan Rodriguez, one of Lucca’s handlers. “I ran to her and saw her struggling to get up. I picked her up and ran to the shelter of a nearby tree line, applied a tourniquet to her injured leg and called the medics to collect us.”

However, four years after the harrowing incident, Lucca is being recognized for her brave endeavors by being awarded the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), Britain’s leading veterinary charity. On Tuesday, a ceremony in London was held to grant Lucca the Dickin Medal. The honor is the top award an animal can receive, and named after Maria Dickin, who founded PDSA. The prestigious Dickin Medal has only been awarded to 66 deserving animals since 1943.

Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Willingham, Lucca’s owner, also attended the ceremony.

“Lucca is very intelligent, loyal and had an amazing drive for work as a search dog,” Willingham said in a statement. “She is the only reason I made it home to my family and I am fortunate to have served with her.”

Lucca now lives in California with Willingham.

If you’d like to give a donation to PDSA you can do so here.

About the PDSA:

Founded in 1917 by animal welfare pioneer, Maria Dickin CBE, PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity. Operating through a UK-wide network of 51 Pet Hospitals and 380 Pet Practices (contracted private practices), PDSA provides free veterinary care to the sick and injured pets of people in need and promotes responsible pet ownership.

Thank you for your service Lucca.

[NBCNews]


 

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