Unveiled at the foot of the South African War monument in Confederation Park in downtown Ottawa, the Animals In Warfare project was dedicated to the horses, dogs, cats, pigeons and even mice that have served alongside their human masters during battle.“From the very start, this project has had the support of Canadians across the country. Canadians love their animals and that, I believe, speaks highly for us as a nation,” said Animals In Warfare Dedication Project founder Lloyd Swick.Swick, a Second World War veteran who also handled dogs while serving with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in Korea, told the audience that it was appropriate the plaques be placed near the South African War monument since Canada sent 50,000 horses for the mounted troops which, under British command, won Canada’s first battle victories on foreign land.He also recognized the contributions horses and mules have made in transporting ammunition and other supplies to secure the hard-fought victory at Passchendaele during the First World War.

The ceremony was attended by Laureen Harper, the prime minister’s wife and honorary patron of the project, as well as Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, National Capital Commission Chairman Russell Mills and Brigadier-General M.K. Overton, assistant chief of military personnel. The government of Canada was represented by MP Royal Galipeau and Senator Yonah Martin.

Three youth delegates related stories of animals who had served Canadian soldiers in warfare during the ceremony which was also attended by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on horseback and with a dog trained to detect landmines.

Watson read aloud a declaration passed by city council proclaiming Animals In Warfare Day in Ottawa and presented it to Swick.

The work is that of Canadian artist and sculptor David Clendining. It consists of a series of highly detailed bronze bas-relief plaques. One is a text explaining the project while two others feature images of animals on the battlefield and explain some of their roles and unflinching loyalty to their human handlers.

A life-sized bronze dog sits in the centre of the tribute outfitted with a medical Red Cross backpack that dogs used in the First World War. The footprints of dogs, horses and mules are stamped into concrete leading up to the monument.

The federal government contributed more than $98,000 towards the project. Dominion Command of The Royal Canadian Legion also contributed a grant of $5,000.

The ceremony ended with the release of dozens of white doves representing doves of peace and the carrier pigeons which have flown across battle lines to deliver essential information during times of conflict.