Salute the Awww!

Astonished at the many photographers vying for their pictures and glinting medals hanging from their necks 20 dogs barked grunted and strutted up the stage at the Bombay Veterinary College BVC Parel where they were felicitated on Saturday morning The dogs all of whom are in service with the Army National Security Guard NSG Mumbai Police Central Industrial Security Force CISF and Railway Protection Force RPF were felicitated for their service to the country as part of the collegersquos annual festival mdash SpandanCongratulations young man A German Shepherd with the CISF at the dog felicitation programme on Saturday at Bombay Veterinary College BVC ParelFrom ferocious CISF Dobermans to the quiet but sharp Belgian Melanoise dogs of the NSG and the adorable Mumbai Police Labradors the fourlegged soldiers showed off their training with every lsquoSaavdhanrsquo command being met with rapt attention The star of the day was Labrador Oscar a hero among the police force for his role in sniffing out live grenades at CST during 2611 A gold medal courtesy of the Mumbai police already glinting in his neck Oscar and another Labrador Heera went up on stage accompanied by their trainers to a roaring applauseNineyearold Oscar a Labrador with the Mumbai Police who helped detect live grenades during 2611 PICSDATTA KUMBHAR Oscarrsquos former trainer Vinod Ballal who is now a subinspector with the Mumbai Police was overcome by emotion when the nineyearold was presented its medal ldquoIt is always officers or army men who get recognition and honour but these animals are heroes too Oscar is like my child and I feel like a proud parent right nowrdquo he said just as Oscar walked down the stage his goodie bag clutched in his mouthDr SD IngoleThis firstofitskind dog felicitation organised by the students of the veterinary college received plenty of support and adulation Dr SD Ingole head of the physiology department BVC said ldquoThis is a brainchild of our students who want people to realise the importance of these canines in our lives They are not just pets but soldiers he saidThrowing light on the importance of dogs in the armed forces chief guest Lt Col Dr Sanjay Borse of Meerutrsquos Remount Veterinary Corps said ldquoLabradors are exceptional at sniffing whereas German Shepherds are great for guarding Basic obedience training is given for three months after which they are deployed in different departmentsrdquo he saidFor therapy tooIt was not only the military trained canines that walked away with honours but also four lsquotherapy dogsrsquo from the Animal Angels Foundation an animalassisted therapy NGO The NGOrsquos seniormost dog Goldie along with two others Sunshine and Pepe mdash all Golden Retrievers mdash work at the Mumbai International Airport helping nervous fliers beat the bluesldquoA dog will never be judgmental and this is the most important aspect in animalassisted therapy We work with autistic children people with dementia and mental health issues These dogs have helped them better their cognitive skills and the ability to show emotionsrdquo said Akash Lonkar director Animal Angels FoundationThe canines may not have quite got what the fuss was all about but we sure got the warm fuzzy feeling right as the sternfaced commandos and cops lit up with wide smiles as their fourlegged colleagues wore their much deserved medals