Please help us reunite this special team of Musket & Captain H, so they can continue to provide their healing powers to troops and people here in the states.
When a stray dog was found outside a military base in the Middle East he was taken to a shelter, and his prospects were not looking good. He had been adopted out twice, but was always brought back within a few days. No one could have known he would go on to change the lives of soldiers on deployment. Or that he would end up needing to be saved… again.
This is the story of Lt. Col Musket...
While deployed overseas a team of experienced medical military personnel realized one of the most impactful resources to help soldiers cope with the demands and extreme pressure of serving overseas was missing: a behavioral health service canine.
The number one reason Soldiers are sent home early from deployment is due to mental health concerns.
Under the leadership of Brigade Surgeon, Colonel. T.F., a team including Behavioral Health Officer, Captain H. and Major T.M., gained approval to put an essential mental wellness program in place, and their search for a suitable Behavioral Health Canine would lead them to one of the few shelters in the area - an hour and a half away. And as fate would have it, the same dog found outside their base was still there, after being returned to the shelter twice, and available for them to adopt.
The shelter had named this dog Albert, but the Mountaineer unit had a better name in mind - Musket, named for the West Virginia University sports teams. His friendly and approachable personality made him ideal for the role.
Musket received veterinary care and specialized training from the K9 Kennel Master team to get him ready to serve in his new role. The military uniform began to be imprinted on him and he warmed up to Soldiers easily. He knew that they were now his people.
Having access to a support dog is a proven benefit to all who serve, and helps increase mental resilience, decrease stress, and improves morale. Musket got right to work helping Soldiers by warm embraces, playing fetch, relaxing on the floor, or performing tricks for treats. It didn’t matter if a Soldier was anxious, mad, upset, or overwhelmed…time with Musket was the perfect prescription for mental health.
Lt. Col. Musket officially became the first recognized Behavioral Health Service Canine on the Middle Eastern base. Though new, and short-lived, the program was a huge success. The Soldiers both loved and appreciated Musket for reminding them of their own pets at home and giving them a break from the monotony of deployment.
Musket was making a difference. The answer to every problem was, go pet musket. Feeling sad? Go pet Musket. You’re angry? Go Pet Musket. You’re having a bad day? Go pet Musket.
Then everything suddenly came to a halt. The order came through that Musket’s status had been revoked. With that came the devastating news that Musket was being stripped of his DoD identification and would have to leave the base as per policy.
Despite everything he had done, Musket was once again considered to be a stray dog. There was nowhere else for him to go if he stayed in the Middle East other than back to the shelter.
Having been returned twice before, Musket's future was looking grim.
They were given a short timeline to find alternative arrangements for Musket or he would have to head back to the shelter, where the reality he would have faced was not positive. As Musket was no longer a military dog, any attempts to get him to safety fell on outside efforts, so CPT H reached out to Paws of War for help. Musket has been there for our soldiers, and Paws of War was there for him.
Due to CDC bans on importing dogs from most of the Middle East, Paws of War arranged for Musket to fly to Canada, and for a foster so Musket could finish the 6-month required quarantine.
With your support, Musket will be able to get to his new forever home with CPT H. on her farm where he will be safe and comfortable with lots of space to run and play. And there’s more – Paws of War has arranged for Musket to continuing his training as a Behavioral Health Canine working with CPT H., bringing love and joy to everyone he meets.
Paws of War has undertaken all the costs of Muskets journey so far, we are asking for your help to get him home, and allow us to provide him with the continued training he will need and his lifetime veterinary care. Lets get Musket and CPT H reunited and back to providing the therapy so many people desperately need.
We can only continue to rescue these special animals, and continue to give back to our heroic
troops serving overseas in these challenging times with your support. Please make a donation in Musket's honor.
With deepest gratitude,
From all of us at Paws of War
pawsofwar.org
Paws of War
"Helping both ends of the leash"
With your help we can reunite Musket with his soldier,
and provide support as they continue to make a difference in the lives of others. 
Checks can be mailed to:
Paws of War
127-6 Smithtown Blvd.
Nesconset, NY 11767
Thank you for your kind support!