2024 AWP Ceremony

The 4th Animals in War & Peace Ceremony 2024

The Fourth Annual Animals in War & Peace Ceremony

Honored Seven Extraordinary Canine Heroes

(Washington, D.C. – March 13, 2024) The Fourth Annual Animals in War & Peace Medal Ceremony honored seven extraordinary canines on March 6, 2024, at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC whose achievements made a significant impact in both times of war and peace. Members of Congress presented each animal with a medal to recognize its courage and sacrifice to the United States. Great Britain is the only country that currently recognize our American animals in times of war and peace.

The prestigious Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery award was bestowed upon four canines that have served in past conflicts, as well as current working or retired military dogs representing various branches of U.S. military services, service animals, and First Responders. The 2024 Animals in War & Peace Medal of Braveryrecipients:

K9 Yoda - U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit BORTAC, Detroit Sector (presented by Cong. Jamie Raskin)
K9 Endo and K9 Ax – Volusia, FL Sheriff’s Office (presented by Cong. Julia Brownley and Cong. Gus Bilirakis)
K9 Kitt 823K–Braintree, MA Police Department (Posthumously honored) (presented by Cong. Jamie Raskin)

The Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal recognizes animals for their exceptionally meritorious service to the United States in roles of great responsibility. The 2024 Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal recipients:

K9 Cody - U.S. Embassy in Baghdad / American K9 Interdiction, VA (presented by Cong. Michael Quigley)
K9 Bane - St. Francis Police Department / FBI Milwaukee SWAT, WI (presented by Cong. Bryan Steil)
K9 Sonya V558 - U.S. Coast Guard MSST (Seattle)/MSRT-W, San Diego, CA (presented by Cong. Marc Veasey)

A second House Resolution 1054 was introduced on March 5, 2024, to continue the tireless efforts of creating the annual process of ‘Congressionally mandated’ awards. The 2024 resolution sponsored by Representative Julia Brownley (CA) and Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL) acknowledges the importance of recognizing and honoring Canine Heroes and their valiant human handlers for bravery in war and peace.

“The Animals in War & Peace Ceremony has become a time-honored tradition on Capitol Hill over the last several years, and throughout our history, highly-trained animals have been on numerous frontlines risking their lives to save the lives of others,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA). “Along with their handlers, these animals are nothing short of extraordinary.” Congresswoman Brownley is one of the lead sponsors, along with Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL), of the newly introduced House Resolution 1054, which recognizes and honors canine heroes and their human handlers for bravery and distinguished service in war and peace. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/1054/text

Photos 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/ to learn more. To learn more about the medalists, click here.

Mission:The mission of Animals in War & Peace is to honor and recognize extraordinary U.S. animals for bravery in times of war and peace where their valiant human handlers will be appreciated and recognized for generations to come.

Quotes from Medal Recipient Handlers:

“The Animals in War & Peace Medal ceremony was humbling in that K9 Kitt has been accepted into a category of animals who have saved, in some instances, hundreds of human lives in significant global conflicts. It was also satisfying in that my partner’s sacrifice to save three police officers was equally acknowledged. One life or 100, what these animals do for us is true bravery.”

--William Cushing, Braintree, MA Police Department, Handler of K9 Kitt 823K (Posthumous), Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery #17

“The Animals in War & Peace award ceremony is unlike any other. This platform allows for the unique story of each of these animal heroes to not only be told, but also listened to by a captivated audience. It is wonderful to see their stories brought forward for the world to hear firsthand how valuable our animal partners are. Receiving the Medal of Bravery on behalf of my partner K9 Yoda is truly a tremendous honor. This award is a great way to highlight the dedication, service, hard work, and selflessness of our K9 partners.”

-- Padraic Berlin, U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), Detroit Sector, K9 Yoda Handler,

Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery #18

“It was so amazing to see the hard work that my girl Cody, and so many other K-9s do on a daily basis… without zero expectation of recognition or regard for themselves… finally getting the recognition and honor that they deserve. You don’t realize sometimes the work that you and your K-9 partner are doing until someone stops you and says, “Wow thanks for all you do.” So it was humbling not only for Cody to receive the Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service #5, but to be included alongside some of the other amazing teams that were there to receive a medal as well.”

-- James Overton, American K9 Interdiction (Carrsville, VA), K9 Cody’s Owner, Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal #5

"I cannot thank the board for Animals in War & Peace enough for selecting K9 Bane and honoring him with Distinguished Service Medal #6 at the US Capitol last week. I was privileged to walk side-by-side with K9 Bane while he protected his community for almost 7 years, and I'm even more humbled that he was nominated by the men and women he served with. He is my best friend, guardian, and protector, and because of this, I will always have his six."

-- Det. Holly McManus, St. Francis Police Dept./FBI Milwaukee SWAT, WI, K9 Bane’s Owner, Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal #6

Photo Above - Learn More

The 2024 Animals in War and Peace Medalists and AWP Board members. Front row: Linda Blick, Chief James Grant (Sonya's owner), Mari Lou Livingood, K9 Sonya DSM #7, Kristen Douglas-Seitz Jocelyn Russell - Secretariat Monuments, Robin Hutton. Back Row: William Cushing (K9 Kitt MOB # 17, posthumous), Padraic Berlin (K9 Yoda handler), K9 Yoda (MOB #18), Chuck Rotenberry, K9 Bane DSM #6, Det. Holly McManus (K9 Bane owner), Dr. Richard Vargus, James Overton and K9 Cody DSM #5, Dr. Jay Coisman, Sr. Deputy Brett Whitson and K9 Endo MOB #19, David Kontny, Deputy AJ Davis and K9 Ax MOB #19.

To view all of the 2024 Medalists' stories, click the link below.

2024 Medalists

2024 Animals in War & Peace DSM Recipients

K9 Cody - AWP Distinguished Service Medal #5

DSM #5: K9 Cody: U.S. Embassy-Baghdad, American K9i, Carrsville,VA, German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois. Cody has been an excellent working dog, pairing her innate gift to detect explosives and firearms with her calm and loving demeanor. Cody began working at 18 months of age, and accumulated over 4,000 hours of explosives detection operations in Iraq, over 3,000 hours of explosives detection operations in Minnesota, and after her final transfer to the eastern United States, she added more than 5,000 hours of explosives detection operations. Recently, in two separate incidences, during routine sweeps, she detected weapons and ammo in a student’s car at two local schools.

K9 Bane - AWP Distinguished Service Medal #6

DSM #6: K9 Bane: St. Francis Police Dept., FBI SWAT Milwaukee, German Shepherd: In one noteable incident, K9 Bane was deployed to execute a high-risk search and arrest warrant on a leader of a violent street gang known to possess firearms and drugs. The target subject maintained firearms in the residence. After a standoff, Bane queued up on the individual and began to growl loudly. Immediately, the suspect said he would surrender and pleaded not to deploy Bane. The target got down on his knees, crawled out of the doorway, and was no longer in possession of a firearm when he exited the doorway.

K9 Sonya - AWP Distinguished Service Medal #7

DSM #7: K9 Sonya V558: US Coast Guard, Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Seattle (91101) and Maritime Security Response Team West; Belgian Malinois (alive): K9 Sonya has performed over 5,000 hours of explosives detection work, executing over 8,500 vehicle sweeps for the Washington State Ferries. She worked security for four Super Bowls, the Rose Bowl, U.S. Track and Field Olympics, U.S. World Athletics, multiple PGA tournaments, and she also supported local law enforcement agencies on 25 separate occasions, responding to bomb threats in residential and federal buildings. She assisted in security details for four U.S. Presidents, diplomats, high ranking dignitaries and world leaders, and now serves as the Coast Guard’s first canine recruiter.

2024 Animals in War & Peace MOB Recipients

K9 Kitt - AWP Medal of Bravery #17

MOB # 17: K9 Kitt 823K: Braintree Police Dept., Braintree, MA, Belgian Malinois: Kitt served with the Police for 12 years. On June 4, 2021, Kitt and his partner responded to a domestic violence call where an armed suspect fled from a nearby apartment complex to a wooded area. As K9 Kitt tracked down the suspect, the man opened fire from an ambush position, hitting K9 Kitt with the first rounds and wounding two officers. Despite their wounds, the officers returned fire and killed the suspect. Kitt died on scene, but his actions saved the lives of his two fellow officers.

K9 Yoda - AWP Medal of Bravery #18

MOB #18: K9 Yoda: Detroit Sector, Special Operations Detachment, U.S. Border Patrol Tactical (BORTAC) K9 Unit, Belgian Malinois (alive): Yoda joined BORTAC in May 2022, specializing in high-risk situations that his team responds to such as warrant services, hostage operations, tactical tracking, air operations, and more. On September 13, 2023, after a 14-day manhunt evading hundreds of law enforcement officers, Yoda and his BORTAC team successfully apprehended Danelo Cavalcante, an armed escaped prisoner convicted of murder in Pennsylvania. Yoda was able to bite and hold the subject thus preventing his escape and his ability to use the stolen rifle he possessed.

K9 Endo & K9 Ax - Medal of Bravery #19

MOB #19: K9 Endo & K9 Ax: Volusia County Sheriff Dept., (both alive): In 2014, K9 Endo was shot and injured while pursuing a wanted felon who had just shot his girlfriend. Despite being shot in the neck, Endo apprehended the felon and held him until released. Once Endo recovered from his wounds, he went back on duty. On Sept 11, 2021, an armed carjacking felon fled arrest. K9 Ax tracked the felon into the woods where he quickly located and apprehended the man, but then shots rang out, and Ax had been shot. As Ax was rushed from the scene the felon attempted to escape. K9 Endo quickly closed in on the subject and more shots rang out. Endo, again despite being shot, made the apprehension, and took down the fleeing felon. K9 Endo was struck twice by bullets to his paw and jaw. These injures ended his career, but K9 Ax made a full recovery and continues to serve today.

Donor Wall 2024

Sponsors/Donors

PLATINUM DONORS $10,000+

GOLD DONORS $5,000+

Timothy Day Family Foundation - Phoenix, AZ

Hydronalix - AZ

SILVER DONORS $2,500+

Lee and Ramona Bass - Ft. Worth, TX

MEDVET - Worthington, OH

Peterson Family Foundation - Fairfax, VA

Martha and Steven Peterson

Mary & Gary West - Rancho Santa Fe, CA

BRONZE DONORS $1,000+

K9 Hurricane's Heroes - Colorado Springs, CO

Marine Corps League Detachment 1062 - Annandale, VA

National Assessment - Athens, GA

Omaha Equestrian Foundation - Omaha, NE

Deborah Sergesketter - Greeley, CO

Three Pearls Charities, Inc. - Portland, OR

DONORS

Greg Laub - MD

Zane Lockhart

Valerie Ormond - Bowie, MD

Dale Punch - Lincolnton, NC

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2024 Animals in War & Peace Ceremony - March 6, 2024