How did the idea for this project
come about?

Starline Nunley, a member of the Gem City Dog Obedience Club, started with the idea of helping her son, Major Parker Frawley, who is a Longbow, Apache helicopter fighter pilot stationed in Iraq. She asked him if he would like a Cooling Vest to help him cope with the typically very hot temperatures encountered there. His reply was “Mom, I am and we (soldiers) are all right. The military provides for us very well, but dogs have different needs. It is so hot that they are having trouble doing their job and that puts us all in danger.”

Temperatures sometimes reach as high as 145 degrees. The dogs cannot work for more than an hour to an hour-and-a-half before being completely exhausted. Our troops are provided with proper equipment but the dogs are our first line of defense in many situations. They’ve been forgotten and have no protection against the heat, blowing sands and rough terrain.

Why Dogs?

Starline said “I can’t physically protect my son, and all the other sons and daughters in Iraq. But I can help the dogs who do. These dedicated dogs do this service selflessly and with great courage. Whatever we can do to help them do their job easier is helping to protect our sons and daughters.”

Who is assisting with the fundraising for this project?

Starline asked the president of Gem City Dog Obedience Club if she thought the Club would be willing to purchase one or two vests for MWDs (Military Working Dogs). The Board was very enthusiastic about this idea and immediately said that they would pay for two vests from the treasury and hold fundraisers to generate the additional funds for all fifteen dogs in Major Frawley’s Unit.

Gem City has raised over $12,000 and many generous individuals have also contributed to the Cool Vest Project. People in the community have opened their hearts to this project and have helped bring this to the news media and national attention through the newspaper and television.

The members of Gem City are dedicated to dogs. Many members of the club support breed rescue and all dogs are welcome, whether mixed breed or purebred. They also support many outreach programs in the community. Please visit their website www.gcdoc.com to find out more about their programs.
 

What are the goals for this project?

The initial goal was to provide Cool Vests for the 15 MWDs at Marez, Mosul, Iraq. This was expanded to purchase Doggles to protect their eyes from the blowing sands, Muttluks to protect their feet from the hot sand and asphalt which is melting in the 130 plus degree temps. This sticks to their feet, causing burns and not allowing them to dissipate their extra body heat since dogs “sweat” through their feet. Plus collapsible lightweight water bowls that can be used for both food and water and allows no water to be wasted, and one toy for them to enjoy during their “down” times.

However, once we had reached our initial goal, we have continued to raise funds to be used to outfit more Units of MWDs. Our goal now is to outfit all 45 kennels in Iraq, which is approximately 300 dogs within the 45 Units. This number changes, as dogs are rotated in and the ones who were there are sent home for R&R. The gear goes with the dogs, since most will be redeployed back to Iraq, they at least, will have their gear. So there will always be a need to outfit the incoming MWDs and replace gear that wears out, as long as we are in Iraq.

What is the cost to outfit one dog?

$300 purchases one cooling vest, two cool packs, doggles, muttluks, a water bowl and a toy. We do receive other requests for items such as extendable leashes which wear out, and sturdy storage containers for the dog food (the rats were eating through the bags and into the food faster than the dogs could be fed!)

Click on the picture to the right to download a PDF brochure
to share with your friends and community.