A first of its kind Memorial in Washington DC will honor the service and sacrifice of service animals and their handlers through US history to present, and the human-animal bond.
The National Service Animals Memorial (NSAM), authorized by Congress that will be built in the nation’s Capital, has advanced to the Site Selection and is actively identifying the best possible location in DC. This is the first memorial that honors the service and sacrifice of the many species of animals and their handlers who have valiantly served our country in the military, law enforcement, search and rescue, and as guide, assistance, and therapy animals, and honors the powerful human-animal bond.
“The creation of a National Service Animal Memorial is an innovative project that will help grow awareness of the importance of working dogs”, shares Canine Companions CEO Paige Mazzoni. “As Canine Companions celebrates our 50th year as creator of the modern service dog concept, we’re honored to collaborate and be a part of this journey.”
NSAM’s Founder, Sculptor, and Chair, Susan Bahary, shared, “We are proud to have the support of some of the greatest leaders in the service animal world and are very grateful to them for understanding the importance of creating this national treasure to honor, inspire, educate, and celebrate the incredible lifechanging and life-saving work of our service animals and their handlers through our collective history. We are very excited to move forward toward our goal of finally giving service animals and their handlers the recognition they have long deserved.”
In 2023, the congressional bipartisan bill authorizing the building of the Memorial on federal land in Washington, D.C. was signed into law. (NSAM–Pronounced ENSAM) will have an interactive educational phone app at the Memorial site and has an education program on their website for parents and teachers to learn through the fascinating lens of the contribution of animals. Millions of animals have served and continue to serve humankind to provide for our safety, security, and independence, from working dogs and assistance animals to war horses and dolphins, and the Memorial will honor them all.
Susan Bahary, is an internationally acclaimed artist, who has long been known for her inspiring sculptures honoring the bond between animals and humans as well as service animals. Susan’s work can be found in national museums, military installations, and public institutions worldwide, including the U.S. Navy Memorial in D.C. and the Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.