Dog Honored for Heroism

A British animal-advocacy group has awarded to a Marine Corps service dog the highest honor it can bestow. In recognition that Lucca completed 400 search-and-rescue missions and lost a leg when she stepped on an improvised explosive device, the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals bestowed upon her its PDSA Dickin Medal – which the organization calls “the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.” Lucca now lives in California with Gunnery Sgt. Chris Willingham, with whom she served in Afghanistan.