Military, police dogs honored with memorial at Pikes Peak Community College

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Nine years ago, artist and former Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) student Christopher Morrell was asked to make the War Dog Memorial at the Centennial campus. Thursday, a re-dedication event by the school's Military and Veteran Program brought it back to life.

“It gave us an opportunity for the welding department, the automotive department, tech department to get involved and become aware of what military working dogs/service dogs have done for the military,” Paul DeCecco PPCC's Military and Veterans Program Director told KRDO.

Two of the dogs depicted in the War Dog Memorial were modeled after real dogs who worked with some of the PPCC Veterans.

The ceremony held a special meaning for the original artist too. Morrell said his father, a veteran who recently passed away, largely inspired the original art piece concept.

“My dad was definitely a big help throughout the whole way he helped me draw it and design it,” Morrell said.

After the re-dedication ceremony, those who attended got to witness a special demonstration from the 69th Military Police Detachment at Fort Carson.

At the ceremony, Siggy, a crowd favorite, was the primary war dog on display. Her handler demonstrated what makes war dogs so crucial on the battlefield for the military.

“There is no piece of equipment or machinery out there that can beat our dogs' efficient rate, especially with IEDs on the battlefield,” Staff Sgt. Corey Meeks, lead dog trainer told KRDO.

According to officials, a dogs’ sense of smell is roughly 50 times better than the average person's, meaning they can sniff out IEDs before they detonate and injure or kill troops.

According to Staff Sgt. Meeks, ground patrols can uncover only 50% of these, but with dogs, the detection rate increases to 80%, a statement backed by the Department of Defense.