A Site Dedicated to Our four-legged and winged heroes that have served
Photo: Past recipients of the AWP Medal of Bravery and Distinguished Service Medals.
Click here for their incredible stories.
Honoring Animals that Serve our Country
The Fifth Annual Animals in War & Peace Ceremony Honors Seven Extraordinary K9 Heroes
On March 11, 2025, on Capitol Hill’s Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., the Fifth Annual Animals in War & Peace Medal Ceremony honored seven exceptional canines whose remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark during both times of conflict and peace. From the battlefields to our city streets, these heroic animals played a pivotal role and served as indispensable allies to military and civilian operations. Members of Congress had the honor of presenting each canine with a medal, recognizing their incredible contributions and enduring legacy.
The illustrious Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery recognizes extraordinary animals that have served in past conflicts, as well as those currently working or retired, representing various branches of the U.S. military, service animals, and First Responders. This distinguished recognition celebrates their unparalleled contributions, courage, and dedication. The esteemed recipients of the 2025 Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery were posthumously honored:
- K9 CONAN – U.S. Army, Special Operations Command, Delta Force
- K9 SPIDO – U.S. Army, Special Operations Command, Delta Force
- K9 LUCA X496 – U.S. Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Military Police Detachment, Afghanistan; DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department, Hernando, MS
- K9 MMINTO V527 – U.S. Army, 95th Military Police Detachment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
The revered Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal stands as a tribute to animals whose service to the United States has been marked by exceptional merit and unparalleled dedication in roles of great responsibility. This distinguished honor not only recognizes their significant contributions but also underscores their lasting impact on the nation. The 2025 Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal Honorees:
- K9 MR. WARNER – Springfield, MA Police Department
- K9 AGIR – Vineland, NJ Police Department
- K9 MATA – Constable’s Office, Wood County, TX
On March 10, 2025, Congresswoman Julia Brownley introduced 2025 HR 203, Animals in War & Peace House Resolution to the Committee on Armed Services on March 10, 2025, acknowledging the importance of honoring Working Animal heroes and their brave human handlers. Link to the 2025 House Resolution 203: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-resolution/203/text
The Animals in War & Peace mission is to ensure that these remarkable animals receive the honor and recognition they deserve – while sharing their stories with the world through a dedicated platform.
Photos and descriptions of the animals are available by contacting Robin Hutton (805-603-2174), waranimals@yahoo.com or Mari Lou Livingood (703-297-5961), mariloulivingood@gmail.com, or go to https://animalsinwarandpeace.org/2025-awp-ceremony .
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Photo Above - Medalists and Team AWP
Handlers, AWP Board and Volunteers: Top, L to R: Chris Willingham, Sgt. Hunter Laub (MWD Mminto), Sgt Luke Burkart (MPC Luca), Lt. Paul Leslie (MPC Luca), Shawn Gregory (CAD Spido), Kelly Smith with K9 Mata, Travis Roberts (K9 Conan) Sgt. Lou Platania with K9 Agir, Officer Eric Blair with Mr. Warner. Bottom: Jay Coisman, Val Ormond, Kristen Douglas-Seitz, Colleen Moore, Jocelyn Russell, Robin Hutton, Mari Lou Livingood, Karen Storms, Olivia Coisman, Adyson Coisman.
Medal of Bravery
Read more about the Medal of Bravery and what we are doing to move forward to make this a Congressionally mandated award. (Click here)
Distinguished Service Medal
Read more about the Distinguished Service Medal (Click Here)
A new Traveling Museum honoring animals that have served in war
They had no voice ... they had no choice ... but now they will be honored and remembered for generations to come. (Click here)
War Animals: The Unsung Heroes of World War II
The latest book from New York Times bestselling author, Robin Hutton, honoring the animals that served in World War II. Many animals in the book received the British award, the PDSA Dickin Medal, also known as the "Victoria Cross for Animals." These stories also inspired the new Animals in War and Peace Medal of Bravery and Distinguished Service Medal, and the International War Animals Museum. (Click here)
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Animals in War & Peace is so incredibly honored by this wonderful recognition and support from GWR!
The first recipients of the Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery and Distinguished Service Medals
The first recipients of the Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery and Distinguished Service Medals
Click on the image to read more about the Inaugural Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery Recipients
The first recipients of the Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery and Distinguished Service Medals
The first recipients of the Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery and Distinguished Service Medals
The first recipients of the Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery and Distinguished Service Medals
Click on the image to read more about the first Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medalists
America's Greatest War Horse
Sgt Reckless
LIFE Magazine’s “Celebrating Our Heroes,” lists alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King, a small Mongolian mare who became the greatest war hero horse in American history. Click here to learn more!