Documentary Finally Honors War Dog Heroes

--Narrated by Martin Sheen, "War Dogs, America’s Forgotten Heroes," airs primetime on the Discovery Channel Feb. 15, 1999 Meet Jeffrey Bennett, co-executive producer of one of 1999’s long-awaited documentaries Feb. 4-6, 1999

The year is 1969, and America is at war in Vietnam. Near Danang, a soldier and his "war dog," a German Shepherd named Bruiser, silently creep forward searching for any sign that the enemy is near. Bruiser suddenly stops dead in his tracks, his nose up and ears twitching — signaling that the enemy was near. His handler makes the pivotal decision to fire and seconds later, enemy bullets and grenades rain violently down on the soldiers.

Bruiser’s handler, John Flannelly, is gravely wounded — most of his left side now a gaping wound. Ignoring John's order to leave him on the battlefield, Bruiser drags John to safety while taking two rounds in the process. Other brave soldiers die that day, yet with Bruisers advance warning, many survive including John, who was later reunited with Bruiser in a field hospital.

Reflecting on the profound bond that existed between he and Bruiser during the war, John Flannel said, "Bruiser saved not only my life, but the lives of the other Marines I was working with. I never would have made it without him. I will never be able to thank him enough. I owe my life to that dog."

Documentary Finally Honors Dog Heroes

Bruiser was among more than 4,000 dogs recruited to serve and protect U.S. troops in Vietnam, preventing 10,000-plus American casualties in the process. Yet, only a few of these dogs returned to America at the close of the war. Since these canine heroes were classified by the military as equipment, they were declared "surplus armaments" and either unceremoniously euthanised or left to unknown fates in Vietnam.

None of the dogs, however, have ever been honored for their bravery and service — until now — through a compelling, new documentary, called "War Dogs, America’s Forgotten Heroes," narrated by the acclaimed actor Martin Sheen.

"There would be a whole lot more than 50,000 names on the Vietnam Wall without these dogs ... and I don’t think the average American even knows the role these dogs played," said Dr. John Kubisz, a veterinarian serving with the 764th Veterinary Detachment in Vietnam. "There is no memorial to honor them, except the living testament — children who were born because their father survived a distant, violent dream — thanks to his best friend." While "War Dogs" tells the untold story of the heroic roles played by the thousands of war dogs in Vietnam, the documentary was produced primarily to: educate America about the unwavering bond between dog and handler that prevented more than 10,000 casualties in Vietnam; reveal how the heroic efforts of these dogs were never honored; prevent a similar tragedy; deliver an entirely different perspective of the Vietnam War; and, help concerned Americans raise funds for the creation of two war dog memorials.

"These dogs deserve more and have the right to be honored and treated like any other American that served in Vietnam," said Jeffrey P. Bennett, co-executive producer of "War Dogs, America’s Forgotten Heroes," and founder, president and CEO of Nature's Recipe Pet Foods, which played a paramount role in the development of the documentary. "Unlike other soldiers, and the dogs that served in other wars, these dogs never received medals or any other kind of recognition for their heroic efforts. America has never sufficiently thanked these dogs, and this documentary finally gives us the opportunity. "According to Bennett, after World War II, surviving war dogs were sent home to their families with honorable discharges.

Looking Back with Honor

Military dogs and their handlers played increasingly critical roles as the Vietnam War escalated. The dogs first served as sentries to guard U.S. and South Vietnamese installations. After full mobilization in Vietnam, American soldiers in all branches of the military relied upon the dogs to combat the unconventional guerilla warfare fought by the Viet Cong. Dogs were typically trained in specialties; some could detect enemy personnel, others booby traps, mines, tunnels, or weapon caches — all to protect their troops and handlers.

During the war, military records documenting the number of dogs in service or those that were killed or missing in action were minimal at best. In fact, prior to 1969, no records were kept.

"By researching the records that do exist and through interviews with many of the handlers who served in Vietnam, we have been able to document at least 4,000 war dogs that served during the war, but there were probably many more," said Tom Mitchell, chairman of the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association (VDHA). "Our collective research also indicates that these heroic dogs were responsible for saving a minimum of 10,000 Americans from death or injury, but again, that number in reality is probably significantly higher than the records show."

Hollywood Premiere Slated for February 10, 1999, Followed by Discovery Channel Broadcast.

Co-produced by GRB Entertainment of Studio City, Calif., "War Dogs," offers a rare, often heart-warming and sometimes heart-wrenching look at the war dogs of Vietnam. The documentary blends actual, never-before-seen footage that was captured by handlers and other soldiers during the war, as well as insightful, often emotionally powerful interviews with several handlers. Nature’s Recipe Pet Foods and GRB Entertainment have worked tirelessly to make the documentary a reality, and on February 10, 1999, the fruits of their collaborative labors will be realized when "War Dogs" premieres in North Hollywood at the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences, Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre, at 7 p.m. Guests will include many Vietnam War veterans who served as dog handlers and their families. Five days later, on February 15, 1999, "War Dogs" will air primetime on the Discovery Channel.

Proceeds to Fund War Dog Memorials

Concurrent with the Discovery Channel airing, the documentary will be released on home video. The video, which will include footage not shown in the televised version, will be available to consumers free with a purchase of Nature’s Recipe Pet Foods at their favorite pet store. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the cost of building two war dog memorials to be dedicated in 2000. The first is scheduled to be unveiled on President’s Day in Riverside California. A second memorial is slated for the Washington, D.C. area.

The world-renown sculptor, A. Thomas Schomberg, whose sculptures are exhibited and collected internationally, will create both memorials. "Finally, our dogs will be honored for time immemorial," said the VDHA’s Mitchell. "The inscription on the planned memorial describes what we — their handlers — have held true in our hearts for more than three decades: ‘They protected us on the field of battle. They watch over our eternal rest. We are grateful.’"

About GRB Entertainment

In 10 successful years, GRB Entertainment has secured its position as the world’s premiere producer and distributor of reality and special effects programming. The Studio City, Calif.-based company provides entertainment product for broadcast, cable, satellite and home video markets in more than 120 countries.

MEDIA ADVISORY:

Narrated by Martin Sheen, "War Dogs, America’s Forgotten Heroes," airs primetime on the Discovery Channel Feb. 15, 1999 Meet Jeffrey Bennett, co-executive producer of one of 1999’s long-awaited documentaries Feb. 4-6, 1999

What’s the News?

The "War Dogs, America’s Forgotten Heroes" documentary, narrated by actor Martin Sheen, tells the "untold" story of the heroic roles more than 4,000 dogs played in Vietnam to protect our troops and prevent 10,000-plus American casualties. According to those who served, there would be more than 50,000 names on the Vietnam Wall without these courageous war dogs that either died in battle, were unceremoniously euthanised or left to unknown fates in Vietnam — yet never honored or recognized by America.

Who? What? When? Where?

Co-executive Producer Jeffrey Bennett (Nature’s Recipe Pet Foods founder, president and CEO) will tour with a Vietnam war dog handler in New York, February 4–6. Take your audience behind the scenes of this compelling documentary by interviewing: Bennett on his involvement in this monumental project and the opportunity it offers the American people to finally thank these valiant dogs A war dog handler who appears in the documentary as he recounts memories of the struggle in the fight for survival for him, his dog and the troops they swore to protect

The Purpose Of the "War Dogs" Documentary:

• To tell the untold story of the heroic roles played by thousands of war dogs in Vietnam
• Educate America about the bond between dog and handler that prevented more than 10,000 American casualties
• Reveal how these dogs’ heroic efforts were never honored
• Deliver a different perspective of the Vietnam War
• Help concerned Americans raise funds for the creation of war dog memorials

"War Dogs" on Video:

In mid-February 1999, "War Dogs, America’s Forgotten Heroes" will be released on video and offered free to consumers at their favorite pet food store with a purchase of Nature’s Recipe Pet Foods. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the cost of building two war dog memorials in 2000, the first of which is scheduled to be dedicated at the Riverside National Cemetery in California on President’s Day. A second memorial is slated for Washington, D.C.