Actor Gary Sinise Expands His Veterans Advocacy To Support Courageous K-9 Heroes Serving On The Front Line

Nov 30, 2019 by apost team

Actor Gary Sinise has recently celebrated the 25-year milestone for his foundation that helps first responders, veterans and their families. In order to commemorate this occasion, Sinise has launched a new initiative to provide help to safety service and military dogs so that they can receive proper care.

Gary became famous after playing the role of Lieutenant Dan in the landmark film Forrest Gump, starring two-time Oscar-winner Tom Hanks. Gary's portrayal of the soldier, who was confined to a wheelchair after the war, struck a chord with many veterans who watched the movie. The character struggled with issues that many Vietnam vets dealt with, including mental illness and alcoholism.

Shortly after the filming of the movie, Gary decided to launch a foundation to help veterans, and it has provided millions of dollars in aid to soldiers. The new fundraising program for dogs is called "Veterans for Valor," and the announcement was made about the new program on Veteran's Day. The program is working in a partnership with Texas A&M to give canine heroes well-deserved care for working in hazardous conditions.

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The program will raise money for medical expenses and other support for dogs that work with first responders and canines that put their lives at risk in the front lines of battle scenarios and police calls.

Sinise told The Arizona Public that he has felt a greater connection with veterans after playing the role of Lt. Dan. He describes the character as an "ice breaker" to begin conversations with veterans who were experiencing life difficulties after returning from military service. As soon as veterans saw Sinise, they would become enthusiastic and mention their love of the film character.

Military dogs serve an indispensable role in the armed forces. They are needed to work in all kinds of places around the world to sniff out drugs, detect explosives, alert soldiers to enemy incursions and aid in rescue missions for missing soldiers. The dogs also improve morale and provide a therapeutic benefit in the stressful war environment.

As the foundation wrote in a Facebook post, the Veterans for Valor program was established to honor the brave canines and the soldiers who handle them for their invaluable contribution to safeguard the security of our country and ensure the success of countless military missions.

As Sinise explains in a video for American Humane, he also wants to address the problem of military dogs that are left behind overseas after their duties are completed. He wants to find homes for these dogs in the United States and return them to the handlers that they have bonded with.

Are you inspired by Gary Sinise and his efforts to care for these canine military heroes? Let us know in the comments, and send links to this story for your friends on social media.