A retired combat assault dog named Manic, who served with the 2nd Commando Regiment in Iraq, received a new award for distinguished service at the Australian War Memorial on February 24.
Manic was the inaugural recipient of the Australian Animal Distinguished Service Award, which recognises outstanding actions of animals in service or to the community.
The Belgian Malinois deployed to the Middle East, where he assisted Australian training teams and supported special forces' Tactical Assault Group for three years.
Veterinary Officer Major Kendall Crocker, who was part of the selection panel, said Manic had an outstanding reputation within the dog-handler and commando community.
"These dogs are special dogs; they are a force to be reckoned with," Major Crocker said.
"Elite dogs like Manic have to have very stable temperaments, making them amazing dogs in their retirement."
Manic continues to serve as a canine ambassador, promoting service dogs for those with PTSD and highlighting the need for continuing care of military working dogs after they retire.
While Manic was the 2024 recipient, another dog named Aslan was honoured with the 2025 award.
'These dogs are special dogs; they are a force to be reckoned with.'
Aslan was also a combat assault dog with the 2nd Commando Regiment for six years.
He served with Australian training teams in the United States and with the Tactical Assault Group.
Aslan overcame a battle with cancer and spends his retirement raising awareness about canine health.
The ceremony coincided with Australia's National Day for War Animals, a date also shared with New Zealand.
Only in its fifth year, the national day is also known as purple poppy day.
The association of purple with war animals is believed to go back to World War 1, when the Purple Cross Society raised money to support the more than 100,000 Australian horses that served overseas.
Donations from the society helped establish and run the Australian Army Veterinary Hospital near Calais, France, which treated more than 24,000 horses between 1917 and 1919.
Major Crocker said there were more than 200 military working dogs in Defence across Army and Air Force, but the day honoured all animals serving in war, past and present.
"Australian war animals have been with us in every campaign, from the Boer War to the current day, and the dog Manic tells that story beautifully," Major Crocker said.
