Bonds of Service: A National Tribute, a powerful national event honoring the service animals and handlers who have served our country in war, public safety, disability support, and healing.
Hosted by the National Service Animals Monument (NSAM)—the nonprofit leading the effort to build the first federally authorized national monument honoring service animals and their handlers—and lead sponsor, United States War Dogs Association, Inc.–whose mission is to honor our nation’s war dogs and their handlers, past, present, and future–this event will bring together military, law enforcement, and assistance-animal communities for a historic tribute in the nation’s capital region.
Event Details
Date: March 10, 2026
Time: 3:00–6:00 PM
Location: Military Women’s Memorial, Arlington, VA
Program: Wreath-laying ceremony, presentations, reception, and media opportunities
Attendance: 200+ national leaders, service-animal organizations, veterans, and public officials
The program will feature 25+ service-animal teams representing the full spectrum of working animals—military, law enforcement, search and rescue, guide, assistance, and therapy dogs—along with leading organizations and nationally respected speakers in the field.
This event also underscores a major national milestone: In 2023, bipartisan legislation signed by President Biden authorized construction of the National Service Animals Monument on federal land in Washington, DC. This monument will permanently honor the animals and handlers who have served—and sacrificed—throughout American history.
We are especially eager to share how this project reflects core American values of service, sacrifice, duty, and courage, and why it deserves a prominent, accessible location in the nation’s capital as a place of reflection for the public. These animals are silent heroes of American service. They didn’t just assist—they protected, rescued, and saved lives. Now the nation is preparing to honor them permanently in Washington. This monument will give them a permanent place in our nation’s heart.
This story is sure to resonate deeply with DC audiences: it reflects our region’s military and veteran community and highlights a new national monument that will ultimately call Washington home. Washington honors service—these animals belong in that story.
Television personality John O’Hurley and his National Dog Show co-host David Frei will serve as Masters of Ceremonies.