The World of Tanks community is no stranger to raising money for charities, and one such drive has borne fruit. Raising money for K9s for Warriors here in the United States, the World of Tanks community raised enough to not only sponsor a dog for a veteran in need, but be recognized with a plaque honoring the achievement.
To celebrate Memorial Day, I wanted to highlight Sherman's journey, and as a military brat myself, showcase the great work K9s for Warriors does to help veterans in need. As someone who grew up on military bases and saw what not only the brave service members went through, especially right after 9/11, but friends who joined and fought in the years after, this story hits a bit closer to home than some.
World of Tanks started working with K9s for Warriors back years ago, raising money for the charity to help provide veterans dealing with PTSD, traumatic injuries, and more, with the goal of ending veteran suicides with a specialized service dog. Over the last few years, the North American World of Tanks community has raised over $84K ($84,538.32 to be exact) since the partnership began, with the community sponsoring not just a training kennel but a dog that would eventually be trained to live alongside a veteran in need.
According to the charity, K9s for Warriors is the United States' "largest veteran service organization focused on providing high trained Service Dogs" to those veterans who need them. K9s for Warriors states that the majority of their dogs come from rescue shelter, saving the animals from kennels, abandonment or worse. Dogs are trained to help the veteran they are given to, paired through a process where the trainer considers all aspects of the dog's (and Warrior's) personality and more.
For those dogs who make it to graduation, they are paired to a veteran in need, living with their new owner, each helping the other through for, what is hopefully, life. For those who don't quite make the cut, they are adopted out by families looking for great dogs who just aren't quite what K9s for Warriors needs to be great Service Dogs. Since K9s for Warriors is a charity, there is no cost to the veterans who receive a dog - except for travel to training locations.
The World of Tanks community sponsored a dog to be trained for one veteran, and were even able to name the dog. The community aptly named him Sherman.
The journey began back in December 2023, with Sherman, a Black Lab, learning the basics he would need to help his future veteran, such as the "Stand" skill, which puts distance between the vet and what's in front of them. This first part of training is also spent on teaching the dog to remain calm, as they are there as a comfort to the veteran. This doesn't mean the K9s for Warriors trainers take the playfulness out of a dog - far from it, rather Sherman learned to keep calm and collected no matter the situation to help their Warrior when they are needed most.
January was a big month for Sherman as he spent the weeks prior going out to parks, stores and more to get a feel for moving around the world and settling down no matter the situation - a lot of emphasis is placed on remaining calm for their new partner. January also taught Sherman a new move, Brace, which is used to help their Warrior stand and sit up, which is key if their Warrior is wounded in the line of duty and needs extra assistance.
Grocery stores and parks are one thing, February saw Sherman explore a convention center bustling with activity. This was vital training as in crowded spaces having Sherman experience this will only make him better able to guide and comfort their Warrior in crowded and hectic areas. March was another big step on Sherman's path to helping someone in need as he learned new tricks, such as Front, which has Sherman come and sit in front of their partner to put some space between them and someone else. This was put to the test in an airport, where Sherman had to walk through a metal detector on his own and "front" with the trainer.
Sherman would eventually train with his trainer until April, navigating shops, walkways, and more, learning the skills and discipline needed to help his eventual Warrior partner, Edith, a United States Army Veteran. It's an incredible journey for both, and it all started through a fundraising drive at World of Tanks. Through the generosity of the community, two lives have been potentially saved here - and that's an amazing accomplishment everyone involved should be proud of.
To celebrate the community's generosity, K9s for Warriors put up a plaque at the training kennel the community sponsored in Florida. While Sherman has found his partner, there are still countless veterans and dogs who are yet to be paired together, and so the mission of K9s for Warriors continues - and who knows, maybe the next dog the World of Tanks community gets to name will be called Abrams?
If you'd like to donate to help K9s for Warriors, you can do so on the charity's website.
