While she was rehabilitating, her adoption paperwork was submitted to retire her officially from active service and live with Chris Willingham and his family in California.
Talking about the well-deserved award, Gunnery Sergeant Chris Willingham, said: “Lucca is very intelligent, loyal and had an amazing drive for work as a search dog. She is the only reason I made it home to my family and I am fortunate to have served with her. In addition to her incredible detection capabilities, Lucca was instrumental in increasing morale for the troops we supported. In between missions, I took the searching harness off and let her play and interact with the troops. Due to her personality, demeanor and proficiency as a search dog, Lucca made friends wherever she went. Today, I do my best to keep her spoiled in her well-deserved retirement.”
“Even when Lucca was injured, her good temperament and gentle nature never faltered. She has become an inspiration to everyone she meets and I am so very proud to see her decorated with this prestigious award.”
Lucca’s award will bring the total number of PDSA Dickin Medals awarded to animals in military conflict to 66. Since the introduction of the Medal by PDSA founder Maria Dickin, CBE, in 1943 it has been awarded to 30 dogs (including Lucca), 32 World War Two messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat.
