Animals have been an indispensable part of warfare and combat since ancient times. The ancient Greeks and the Romans trained their dogs specifically for battle, often outfitting them with spiked metal collars and armor. Elephants were widely used in battles in South Asia and North Africa to charge the enemy, break their ranks and instill terror and fear. In addition to combat, animals have also helped in the war effort in all sorts of capacity, from being load bearers and messengers to carrying out espionage.
The question is: how do we honor those animals that display exceptional acts of valor during wartime? The question tugged at the heart of Maria Dickin, a social reformer and founder of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), an organization that provides care for sick and injured animals for free. The PDSA is the UK's leading veterinary charity and until 2009, it was the largest private employer of fully qualified veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in the UK.
Dickin medal. Credit: PDSA
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