https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN44834-ARMY_DIR_2025-16-000-WEB-1.pdf
D E P A R T M E N T O F T H E A R M Y
O F F I C E O F T H E U N D E R S E C R E T A R Y O F T H E A R M Y
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MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2025-16 (Canine Holistic Health and Fitness)
1. References.
a. United States Government Accountability Office, GAO-23-104489 (Working Dogs:
Federal Agencies Need To Better Address Health and Welfare), 19 October 2022
b. Joint Requirements Oversight Council Memorandum 047-24 (Department of
Defense (DoD) Working Dog (WD) Enterprise Update), 2 July 2024
c. Department of the Air Force (DAF) Instruction 31-126 (DoD Military Working Dog
(MWD) Program) (Army Regulation (AR) 700–81), 17 January 2019, incorporating DAF
Guidance Memorandum 2025-01, 24 April 2025
d. AR 40–905 (Veterinary Health Services), 29 August 2006
e. AR 190–12 (Military Working Dog Program), 23 October 2019
f. U.S. Army Medical Command Policy Memorandum 23-012 (Animal Facility
Inspections), 18 May 2023
2. Purpose. This policy directs the improvement of Military Working Dog (MWD) wellness,
well-being, and quality of life through the implementation of the Canine Holistic Health and
Fitness (K9H2F) Program and its supporting Partner and Wellness (PAW) Program.
3. Applicability. This directive applies to the Regular Army, Army National Guard/Army
National Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve.
4. Policy.
a. All U.S. Army units responsible for the health and welfare of MWDs will comply with
the health and welfare provisions prescribed in reference 1c, hereby established as the Army
K9H2F Program.
b. The PAW program, hereby established as a subset of the Army K9H2F Program,
mandates handlers and their assigned MWDs to move together during a permanent change of
duty station.
David R. Fitzgerald
Senior Official Performing the Duties of the
Under Secretary of the Army
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2025-16 (Canine Holistic Health and Fitness)
5. Roles and Responsibilities.
a. The Provost Marshal General will approve all Army K9H2F Program and PAW Program
criteria, guidance, and exceptions to policy.
b. Army command, Army service component command, and direct reporting unit MWD
program managers will ensure their subordinate MWD units meet the requirements of the Army
K9H2F program listed in this directive and reference 1c health and welfare requirements,
including the purchase of canine enrichment tools within 90 days of the date of this directive.
c. Commanders of military police MWD detachments will ensure their kennels meet the
requirements established in the Army K9H2F Program in accordance with this directive and
reference 1c health and welfare requirements, including the purchase of canine enrichment tools
within 90 days of the date of this directive.
6. The Provost Marshal General, in coordination with The Surgeon General, will publish
procedural guidance to implement this policy within 90 days of the date of this directive.
7. Proponent. The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) has
oversight responsibility for the Army K9H2F Program. The Provost Marshal General will
incorporate the provisions of this directive into AR 190–12 within 2 years of the date of this
directive.
8. Duration. This directive is rescinded on publication of revised regulation.
DISTRIBUTION:
Principal Officials of Headquarters, Department of the Army
Commander
U.S. Army Forces Command
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
U.S. Army Materiel Command
U.S. Army Futures Command
U.S. Army Pacific
U.S. Army Europe and Africa
(CONT)
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SUBJECT: Army Directive 2025-16 (Canine Holistic Health and Fitness)
DISTRIBUTION: (CONT)
U.S. Army Central
U.S. Army North
U.S. Army South
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command
U.S. Army Cyber Command
U.S. Army Medical Command
U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Army Military District of Washington
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
U.S. Army Corrections Command
U.S. Army Recruiting Command
Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy
Commandant, U.S. Army War College
Director, U.S. Army Civilian Human Resources Agency
Executive Director, Military Postal Service Agency
Director, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division
Director, U.S. Army Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office
Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery
Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
CF:
Principal Cyber Advisor
Commander, Eighth Army
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