Smoky the War Dog

Overview

In March 1944, deep in the New Guinean jungle, a little Yorkshire Terrier was found hiding in a foxhole. Her presence there was a mystery, but American soldier Bill Wynne became her new owner. He named her Smoky, never dreaming that his little mate would turn out to be quite so extraordinary. When he fell ill with dengue fever, Bill asked to have Smoky by his side and she was soon visiting other soldiers on the ward, bringing happiness to the sick and wounded. This experience inspired Bill to visit injured soldiers with Smoky while on leave in Australia and she is recognized today as the first therapy dog of record.

Author Biography

Nigel Allsopp holds a master's degree in history and teaches full time. He is a veteran himself and was awarded the RSL's ANZAC of the Year award in 2017 for his charity work across the country. Nigel has been instrumental in ensuring Indigenous soldiers' history is told. After conducting research into Indigenous soldiers in the Boer War, Nigel was so touched by their brave service to a nation that had often not been kind to them that he raised funds and established Australia's first Indigenous Light Horse memorial in Logan, Queensland. Nigel has published nine non-fiction books, which he has donated to numerous children's hospitals, the Starlight Foundation, and Ronald McDonald House.