Dogs of War: GLORY HOUNDS Protect and Serve This Remembrance Day on Animal Planet

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TORONTO (October 21, 2013) – Tens of thousands of military service men and women risk their lives in Afghanistan every day. Serving beside these heroes are approximately 600 military working dogs (MWDs) or GLORY HOUNDS, whose sole purpose is to protect soldiers and innocent civilians. Premiering on Remembrance Day – Monday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT exclusively on Animal Planet – the two-hour, first-of-its-kind special follows these specialized dogs that are all highly trained to do what no man or technology can. The military relies on the dogs’ keen, canine sense of smell to sniff out, locate, and signal for explosive devices and to track insurgents.

Remembrance Day Special: GLORY HOUNDS makes its Canadian debut on Nov. 11

GLORY HOUNDS is a ground-breaking special that offered Animal Planet’s filmmakers and embedded camera crews unprecedented access to MWD teams in some of the most volatile regions in Afghanistan. When Osama Bin Laden was killed, a military working dog was part of the team on the ground – working alongside his handler to help capture him. Upon gaining access, camera teams acquired specialized training before spending six weeks in Afghanistan embedded with these troops.

Dogs are said to be man’s best friend. In Afghanistan, dogs are best friends, partners, and comrades in arms; they’re also often the best defense against the Taliban’s weapon of choice – improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, hidden randomly in the sand. Because the MWDs are so adept at identifying these weapons before they explode, the dog teams have become one of the Taliban’s prime targets. While they’re providing invaluable intelligence, these dogs form unbreakable bonds with the handlers who train them. To their handlers, MWDs are not merely gear – they’re weapons with hearts, minds, and souls.

About Animal Planet       

See our planet from a wilder perspective! Animal Planet is the only animal entertainment brand that captures the drama and compelling characters of the animal kingdom. From the most perilous encounters with nature’s fiercest predators to the pets we bring into our own family, Animal Planet brings out the character behind every creature and shares the story behind every behaviour. Meet these animals – and their human companions and protectors – as they surprise us, scare us, play with us and teach us how similar we really are. Launched in Canada in 2001, Animal Planet programming offers an immersive and compelling journey into the animal world. Animal Planet is a division of Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. Visit Animal Planet online at animalplanet.ca.

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