An artist’s rendering of the National Service Animals Monument planned for Washington, D.C. (Susan Bahary)
WASHINGTON — From past to present, service animals have served alongside humans in military, first responder and therapeutic roles, saving lives and providing comfort.
“My dog in particular saved my life on and off the battlefield,” said Chris Willingham, a retired Marine Corps master sergeant and president of U.S. War Dogs Association.
To permanently honor their contributions, a national effort is underway to build the National Service Animals Monument in Washington, which will recognize the legacy of these silent heroes.
Though the monument is still years from completion, the NSAM will begin honoring these animals now with its inaugural event, “Bonds of Service: A National Tribute,” at the Military Women’s Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery, Va., on Tuesday, ahead of K9 Veterans Day on Friday.
The public is invited to attend, learn about the partnership between service animals and their handlers, and support the creation of the monument. The tribute, which is planned to be held annually, will feature a ceremony, reception and a performance by the Quantico Marine Band.
Susan Bahary, founder and sculptor of the NSAM, hopes the event and her work on the monument will inspire compassion and pride for those who serve — human and animal.
“They work together, they serve together, and rely on each other through a bond that is unmatched,” Bahary said. “The humans cannot do certain things without the animals. I hope they (the public) will be emotionally moved.”
Bahary is an internationally acclaimed artist known for her sculptures honoring the bond between humans and animals. Her work is featured in museums, military installations and public institutions worldwide, including the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the Military Women’s Memorial.
She described the NSAM as unique, calling it “all-encompassing.”
“It will be able to most completely tell the whole story of the service, sacrifice and deeds of our great service animals and their handlers throughout American history,” Bahary said.
More than 25 service animal teams are expected to be present at the inaugural event, including from the military and law enforcement, along with leading organizations and guest speakers.
Willingham, who has deployed multiple times to the Middle East, served as a handler, trainer, and program manager in the Military Working Dog Program. During his career, he helped develop the program’s training courses and policies.
As president of the U.S. War Dogs Association, he aims to share his experiences and raise awareness about these dogs he describes as “true force multipliers who save lives and provide critical support to troops on the battlefield.”
“I feel blessed to have held a leash in combat and trusted my life to the capabilities of my military working dog. God bless these dogs. Canine leads the way,” Willingham said.
Though dogs are the most widely recognized service animals, the monument will honor all that have served alongside humans — from George Washington’s horses, to mules, donkeys, carrier pigeons, cats, sea lions, dolphins and more, Bahary said.
“Our monument will be a place of healing, as well as honor and remembrance,” Bahary said. “This brings it all together in the most meaningful way possible.”
Bahary said she envisions the monument as a park-like experience with “multiple realistic and emotionally moving sculptures telling this important story.”
The Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission will partner with NSAM to help determine the monument’s final design based on the space and other elements. The project has roughly four years to raise the required funding before construction can begin.
