KING, Wis. (WFRV) – A beloved four-legged veteran received a hero’s welcome Friday as the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King unveiled a statue honoring Brownie the War Dog — a World War II service dog who later found a new mission comforting veterans on the very grounds where he’s now memorialized.
The event, called Brownie’s Bark in the Park, drew crowds of veterans, families and dog lovers for an afternoon of celebration. Highlights included a puppy parade, costume contest and activities for all ages.
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At the heart of it all was the statue unveiling — a permanent tribute to a dog whose service spanned both the battlefield and the home front.
Kelly Nelson, author of Brownie the War Dog, led the charge to bring Brownie’s story to the public and fund the statue project.
“Immediately, I was struck by just the bravery of the dog, the bravery of the young boy who donated him,” Nelson said. “There are so many things that I think are heartfelt and heartwarming about the story.”
Brownie was donated to the war effort by Oren Kendley, a Waupaca boy who was just 10 years old at the time. The dog was trained as a sensory scout and shipped to the Pacific Theater during World War II.
“Brownie was donated by Oren Kendley when he was ten years old — eleven when Brownie was shipped off to the Pacific Theater — and he was a sensory dog,” Nelson said.
Brownie suffered an injury to the eye during his service, which required a glass eye substitution. After Brownie was injured, he returned to Wisconsin.
Soon after, his family began bringing him to the Veterans Home at King, where he quickly became a familiar and comforting presence among residents.
“I thought Brownie deserves to be recognized,” said Nelson. “So I started reaching out to businesses, individuals who are dog lovers, who believed in the project and we were able to raise enough money and have the statue created.”
The bronze statue now stands as a symbol of Brownie’s loyalty and service — both in war and in peace — and honors the profound impact animals can have on the lives of veterans.
“The profound bond that animals have with humans — and giving every dog their day — I hope this is Brownie’s day,” Nelson said.
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Organizers say they hope Brownie’s story continues to inspire future generations and are considering making Bark in the Park an annual tradition.
Brownie was laid to rest in 1949 with full military honors at the Veterans Home at King.
