As part of their duties, MWDs can be deployed to  assist in operations outside of their assigned military installation. 1.) Medical Care for MWDs

The Army Veterinary Service has the lead responsibility for the medical  care of all DOD-owned animals, including MWDs. DOD Uses Three Systems to Track Information on MWDs; the Number of Adopted, Transferred, or Euthanized MWDs Has Varied over Time

DOD uses three systems to track different types of information about  MWDs, including information related to their removal from service. The  number of MWDs that have been adopted, transferred, or euthanized has  varied over the past 5 years. Systems to Track MWD Information

Officials from the Air Force and Army use three separate systems to track  information on MWDs. Number of MWDs Adopted, Transferred, or Euthanized

Based on our review of data from these systems and related  documentation, the number of MWDs adopted or transferred during 2011  through 2015 varied, with the highest numbers in 2012 and 2013. The number of euthanized MWDs varied to a lesser  extent. According to Air Force officials, these dogs were also  likely never deployed into service. Available Data Indicate That Prevalent Medical Conditions for MWDs Adopted in 2014 and 2015 Included Skin, Dental, and Musculoskeletal Issues

Available data for 55 percent of the MWDs adopted in 2014 and 2015  indicate that prevalent medical conditions included skin, dental, and  musculoskeletal issues. An Army veterinarian told us that “skin conditions or ear infections” and  “dental disease or injury”—the two most prevalent medical conditions we  identified—are unlikely to result in removal from service as these  conditions generally can be treated or resolved. The remaining three prevalent medical  conditions we identified are associated with musculoskeletal issues and  are more likely to result in MWDs’ removal from service. According to an Army  veterinarian, these conditions are common in breeds maintained by the  MWD program. The chief of staff of a private network of veterinary  hospitals in New Jersey provided us with the types of preventative care  they recommend for 9-year old Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Malinois,  and German Shepherd dogs—the most common breeds used by the  MWD program. Some Assistance with Private Veterinary Care for Adopted MWDs Is Available from Nonprofit Organizations; Some Owners May Purchase Care Offered at Certain Military Installations

Although owners of adopted MWDs are responsible for the costs of their  care, some assistance with privately provided veterinary care is available  through nonprofit organizations. Individuals with access to DOD medical  care may also purchase care for their adopted MWDs at military  installations. According to Air Force officials, individuals who adopt MWDs receive  information about the U.S. War Dogs Association at the time of adoption. However, the  types of veterinary services offered vary by military installation, and some  installations do not offer any veterinary services. DOD concurred  with the report and provided technical comments, which we incorporated  as appropriate.
Why GAO Did This Study

DOD has used MWDs since World War II to assist and protect servicemembers at installations within the United States and at deployment sites worldwide. As of October 2016, about 1,800 MWDs were in service. The Air Force is responsible for procuring and assigning all MWDs for the military. The Army is responsible for the medical care of all military animals, including MWDs. Questions have been raised as to whether MWDs' experiences during deployment may result in conditions that pose future health challenges. Based on those questions, a House Report accompanying the proposed version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 included a provision for GAO to assess end-of-service veterinary care for MWDs.
This report examines (1) how DOD tracks information about MWDs, and how many MWDs were adopted, transferred, or euthanized over the past 5 years (2011-2015); (2) prevalent medical conditions of adopted MWDs for 2014 and 2015; and (3) what assistance is available for individuals who adopt MWDs.
GAO obtained and analyzed data from the three systems used to track information on MWDs, observed system demonstrations, interviewed Air Force and Army officials, and reviewed related documentation. GAO also interviewed relevant nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to individuals who adopt MWDs.
DOD concurred with the report and provided technical comments, which GAO incorporated as appropriate.

What GAO Found

The Department of Defense (DOD) uses three systems to track information about Military Working Dogs (MWDs), including information related to their removal from service at which time they can be put up for adoption, transferred to a law enforcement agency, or euthanized for health or behavioral reasons. According to an Air Force official, the number of MWDs adopted or transferred over the past 5 years (2011 through 2015) varied based on changes in deployment needs. The number of euthanized MWDs varied to a lesser extent.
Based on medical data available for 421 of 772 MWDs adopted during 2014 and 2015, GAO found that the most prevalent medical conditions included skin and dental issues. An Army veterinarian told GAO that these medical conditions are unlikely to result in MWDs' removal from service as these conditions generally can be treated or resolved. Other prevalent medical conditions, such as arthritis, are associated with musculoskeletal issues, which are more likely to result in MWDs' removal from service. The veterinarian told us these types of musculoskeletal issues are common in breeds maintained by the MWD program, which include Labrador Retrievers, Belgian Malinois, and German Shepherd dogs.
While owners of adopted MWDs are responsible for the costs of veterinary care, some assistance with these costs is available through nonprofit organizations, such as the U.S. War Dogs Association. Individuals with access to DOD medical care—such as active-duty servicemembers and their dependents—may also purchase care for their adopted MWDs at veterinary clinics located at military installations. However, the types of veterinary services vary by installation, and some installations do not offer any veterinary services.