Whether it’s the work of a scout, sentry or tracker dog—the efforts of these animals and their trainers/handlers had a profound impact on our military.

This tribute to the teams of military dog and handler began in the spring of 2010 when The Highground Board of Directors selected this as a priority project. With the leadership of Kirk Rodman, the volunteer general manager at that time, a committee of primarily Vietnam Veteran dog handlers began a search for a unique life-sized bronze sculpture of a Vietnam War Era military working dog and handler.

After a nationwide search for a designer and sculptor, Michael Martino from La Crosse, Wisconsin, was selected.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 20, 2017, and the dedication ceremony was on June 2, 2018.

The idea for the tribute was inspired by the story of Erling Anderson of Eau Claire, a dog handler who was killed in action 90 days into his service in Vietnam. His dog, Satan, was highly esteemed and served with three handlers in Vietnam before succumbing to disease. Satan’s first handler, Mike Voorhees of Minnesota, was located during the creation of the MWD tribute. He was the guest speaker at the dedication, which included a large number of Vietnam dog handlers paying tribute to their past loyal canine protectors. The fact that their military working dogs were not allowed to return from Vietnam despite the incredibly tight bonds of affection made the creation and dedication of this tribute emotionally healing. Veterans expressed that it was the first time they felt closure after Vietnam.