Family members of fallen soldiers do not have to grieve alone.
Blaze, a therapy dog, has been introduced as Dover Air Force Base's newest employee within the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO) unit in Delaware.
The 2-year-old standard poodle was originally rescued and trained in 2022 by the non-profit organization Paws of War.
He now serves alongside his owner, Captain William Kilgore, a chaplain in the United States Air Force.
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Blaze underwent several months of therapy and rehabilitation with Paws of War to heal from her injuries.
Those injuries were caused by “months of abuse and neglect by an illegal breeder,” the organization shared in a statement with Fox News Digital.
Captain William Kilgore (pictured), chaplain, hugs his Paws of War rescue dog, Blaze. (War Paws)
After Blaze's potential as a therapy dog was recognized, the pup was offered a full-time job with Kilgore's team.
Dover's AFMAO unit oversees the transfer of fallen soldiers and welcomes the families of those service members to participate in dignified transfers.
“He goes to work knowing that he needs to bring some joy in a dark time for people.”
Blaze has been able to “lift the spirits of those serving on the base and assist with therapeutic and emotional support to all who need or seek it,” the Paws of War organization told Fox News Digital.
“Blaze provides comfort in times of crisis and stress in Dover,” Paws of War wrote.
Blaze's daily routine consists of attending meetings and interacting with base staff and visitors.
However, their greatest responsibility is welcoming the families of fallen service members.
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During the transport of a flag-draped casket, Blaze accompanies AFMAO servicemen and women and meets with requesting families.
“Blaze has had a tremendous impact on everyone who knows him,” Kilgore said in a statement.
“Since he joined us, every family here for a worthy transfer has requested time with Blaze.”
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Paws of War co-founder Robert Misseri praised Blaze for working “so hard to lift the spirits of so many people in some of the worst times of their lives.”
“To think that people let Blaze down when they kept him isolated for profit to breed him,” he said in a conversation with Fox News Digital.
“It's like he knows he was born to do this.”
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“He goes to work knowing that he needs to bring some joy in a dark time for people.”
To learn more about the vital work Paws of War continually does, anyone can visit the group's website, pawsofwar.org.
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