Why Does The Pentagon Have A 'Puppy Project'?

Pentagon 'puppy project' scientist defends work as research, not waste: https://t.co/H6JGF8OPrP pic.twitter.com/jVieg4nbDr

— ArmyTimes (@ArmyTimes) February 6, 2016

Military Times: Pentagon 'puppy project' scientist defends work as research, not waste

Gregory Berns bristles at critics attacking his $1.1 million “Pentagon puppy project” research as wasteful and frivolous.

For starters, none of his dogs are puppies. “All of the dogs we use are older,” the Emory University neuroscientist notes. “We can’t work with puppies.”

More importantly, he believes his work studying canine brain patterns from his base in Atlanta could save millions in training and program costs nationwide, dramatically improving the lives of troops and wounded veterans who rely on the service animals’ specialized skills.

Instead, the research has been grouped into the latest Capitol Hill hit list of unchecked federal spending, a frustrating distraction for his efforts, he says.

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WNU Editor: This project actually makes sense. Some dogs are far better suited to perform certain tasks .... while other dogs are not. Border Collies are great sheep dogs, Rottweillers are great security dogs for a home, and for the military .... the Belgian Malinois has taken a prominent role. What makes them all tick (besides genetics) .... is probably something that should be looked  .... especially considering how expensive it is to train a dog.