Dogs
on Duty: Soldiers’ Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond by
Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Book Summary:
Dogs on Duty tells the history of the dogs in the
military and how their role has changed over time. The book includes a lot of
photos showing dogs from the past and present putting their lives on the line
for our freedom. The book discusses the changes that have occurred since dogs
first were used during wars as Red Cross dogs. Now they are used to detect
bombs and other weapons. Dogs on Duty
also shows some of the intense training that the dogs and their trainers have
to go through. This book discusses not only how hardworking these military dogs
are, but also the love and friendship they bring to the soldiers that they work
with. The author, Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, does an excellent job of informing
readers of the amazing services these dogs provide, as well as celebrating
their accomplishments and what they have done for our country.
APA Reference of Book:
Patent, D.H. (2012). Dogs on duty: Soldiers’ best friends on the battlefield and beyond.
New York, NY: Walker & Company.
Impressions:
I
loved this book because it is a celebration of how great dogs are! The
photographs in this book help the reader see the history of military dogs and
how life has changed so much since then. This is one of those books that you do
not even realize is teaching you something because it is just so enjoyable to
read and look at. I have a soft spot for dogs so I was immediately drawn to
this book. I think this is an excellent book for animal lovers and even kids
that may not be really big readers. I think many people, myself included, do
not realize how big of a role these dogs play in the military, especially the
companionship they provide to the soldiers who are so far away from home. I
think this an excellent nonfiction book that is fun and interesting to read.
Professional Review:
“You
don’t have to be an animal lover to be deeply moved by the stories of canine
loyalty, devotion, and courage in Dogs on Duty: Soldiers’ Best Friends
on the Battlefield and Beyond (Walker, 2012; Gr 2-6). Military Working
Dogs have been part of the U.S. armed forces since WWI, but their use in battle
goes back to ancient times. Dorothy Hinshaw Patent describes the ways in which
these animals have assisted armies throughout history and follows present-day
selection and training. Short, accessible sections are accompanied by sidebars
on individual heroic creatures. The descriptions of the loving bonds that these
animals develop with their handlers make this a title children can relate to
and present a positive window into the armed services.”
Willey,
P. (2012, December 4). Amazing but true: Nonfiction for reluctant readers
[Review of the book Dogs on Duty:
Soldiers’ Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond by D. H. Patent]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2012/12/books-media/amazing-but-true-nonfiction-for-reluctant-readers/
Library Uses:
I
think it would be fun to celebrate by reading this book at a story time event and
allowing service dogs to attend. If you have the resources, it would be great
to have service dogs and their trainers agree to come and let kids to read to
the dogs. It would be even better if you could plan the event with your city’s
parks department so that it could be an outdoor event. Water and treat stations
could be set up for the dogs.
A
library display could also be set up in the library with books about training
service dogs or other books similar to Dogs
on Duty, about the history of service dogs. Information could also be
displayed including resources on learning more about military service dogs or
how they can be a service dog trainer.
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