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The Defense Health Agency Veterinary Service (DHA VS) has advanced a strategic approach for maintaining Department of Defense Working Dog (DOD WD) team effectiveness in support of the National Security Strategy in current and future operating environments. DHA VS identified four lines of effort to establish a DOD WD veterinary research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) program: 1) a Capabilities-based Assessment (CBA), 2) a business case analysis (BCA), 3) initiation of a DOD WD research portfolio, and 4) a WD Research Forum. The CBA resulted in the publication of an initial capabilities document (ICD) and a doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, facilities, and policy (DOTmLPF-P) change recommendation (DCR). The BCA provided analytical information and a recommendation for decision makers on how to effectively manage DOD WD veterinary RDT&E activities, while the research forum shared relevant research and updates to inform the broad audience of WD stakeholders. This multiyear campaign, led by DHA VS, established the framework for a unified, informed DOD WD veterinary RDT&E program, which will enable the DOD to support the health, welfare, and performance of these force multipliers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Department of Defense (DoD) trauma enterprise enables delivery and management of trauma care across the DoD, with the Joint Trauma System serving as the reference body for that trauma care. In collaboration with other Directorates within the Defense Health Agency, the Defense Health Agency Veterinary Service (DHA VS) Division aims to advance and inform military working dog (MWD) casualty care. Efforts have included standardized care documentation, casualty care guidelines, an MWD Trauma Registry, a capabilities-based assessment, and blood and blood products support. A coordinated, informed MWD casualty care system will improve MWD trauma outcomes and preserve the MWD team capability for the Joint Force commander. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the need for research funding for the Military Working Dogs (MWD) who save lives on the battlefield. Topics discussed include lack of funds from the Medical Research and Materiel Command (MRMC) Combat Casualty Care Research Program (CCCRP), responsible for mitigating gunshot wounds and explosions, and need for veterinary care of the wounded military dogs.