New Sculpture Pays Tribute to Military Working Dogs

Sculptor Susan Norris has a long history of producing heartfelt pieces of art, and recently, she took on a new project.

A new sculpture honors the efforts and sacrifices of military working dogs. 

Titled “My Hero, My Friend,” it is a life-size bronze sculpture of a military working dog wearing a Purple Heart, mourning the loss of its two-legged companion.

“I’ve always had an affection for animals, but the bond between a military dog and its partner is on a whole other level”

This sculpture is meant to honor the bravery and dedication of a military service dog to its human handler, tugging at the heartstrings of passersbys.

The sculpture will reside at Veterans Memorial Park in Trophy Club, Texas, inside the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

“It’s moving to see people cry when they see my sculpture,” Norris added of the reactions to the sculpture.

Throughout the years, working dogs have been known as war dogs and K-9 Corps among many other names.

Dogs have served the military as guards, messengers, mascots and scouts.

“Dogs became members of forward-deployed teams, served with airborne units, and were transported by helicopters when needed.”

Norris’ sculpture isn’t the first honoring combat canines.

In 2008, US Congress approved the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument, which was unveiled in 2013 at Joint Base San Antonio, Lackland.

“Humans are continually rediscovering that technology cannot match many canine senses and other inherent abilities, and they also realize that dogs continue to remain loyal even as equipment and conflicts evolve around them.”