26 OCTOBER 2017 A statue was unveiled in Congleton to honour Treo, the courageous military dog whose work in Afghanistan helped save many lives. 🐾🫡 On this day in 2017, people gathered in Congleton, Cheshire, to remember a very special soldier. Not a general. Not a politician. Not even a human being. But Treo; a black Labrador English Springer Spaniel crossbreed, an arms and explosives search dog, and one of the bravest animals ever to serve with the British Armed Forces. A remarkable military dog Treo served with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and worked alongside his handler, Sergeant Dave Heyhoe. Together they were deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where Treo’s role was to search for hidden explosives and improvised explosive devices; work that required extraordinary training, discipline and courage. And courage he certainly had. According to the official citation for his PDSA Dickin Medal; often described as the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, Treo located a deadly “daisy chain” IED on 15th August 2008 while acting as forward protection for 8 Platoon, The Royal Irish Regiment. The device had been placed on a roadside used by British troops and was capable of causing devastating casualties. Then, on 3rd and 4th September 2008, Treo’s actions were again credited with saving soldiers from what were described as guaranteed casualties. Without his skill, focus and devotion to duty, lives would almost certainly have been lost. Treo was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal on 24th February 2010. The medal is the highest honour an animal can receive for gallantry or devotion to duty in military conflict. It was richly deserved. Treo’s service was not dramatic in the way films sometimes portray heroism. It was quieter than that; patient, disciplined, alert, and absolutely vital. He went ahead so that others might live. After retiring from the Army in 2010, Treo spent the final years of his life in Congleton with his handler, Dave Heyhoe. He died in 2015, but his story was not forgotten. Two years later, on 26th October 2017, a life-size bronze statue was unveiled near the entrance to the Community Garden on Lawton Street. The memorial was created by sculptor Amy Goodman and made possible by support from the local community. It stands not only as a tribute to Treo himself, but also to the wider service and sacrifice of military animals. Animals such as Treo are sometimes affectionately remembered as mascots, but that risks understating what they really were. Treo was a working military dog operating in a war zone. He was part of a team. He undertook dangerous duties. And he helped bring soldiers home alive. That deserves remembrance. The words associated with Treo’s memorial are especially fitting: “Search & Secure DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF TREO 63 DM AND OTHER SERVICE ANIMALS WHO LOYALLY SERVED US” They remind us that military service has not always been carried only by people. Horses, pigeons, dogs and many other animals have played crucial roles in war, often facing the same dangers as the humans beside them. Treo’s story is one of loyalty, training, trust and courage. And thanks to the people of Congleton, his name and service continue to be remembered. We remember Treo and all the service animals who have served with courage alongside our Armed Forces.