Police and military dogs perform high-risk work that creates specific welfare risks — including trauma, injury, and post-service care challenges — requiring dedicated welfare frameworks.
Military and police working dogs experience significant welfare risks including combat injury, psychological trauma from combat stress, and the physical demands of high-intensity operational deployment. Post-service welfare is an emerging priority — many retired working dogs show behavioral changes consistent with PTSD-like presentations. Lifetime welfare commitment for working dogs — including behavioral support after service — is an ethical obligation of agencies that deploy them.