Mike Monahan, a Cincinnati native and Vietnam veteran, launched a new book and nonprofit in memory of his heroic scout dog, Chico. Pictured are Monahan and Chico in Vietnam in 1969. Photos provided.
Pictured is the book, “Chico Promise,” with all proceeds going to save dogs by paying for the adoption fees at area shelters. Photo provided.
Mike Monahan, a Cincinnati native and Vietnam veteran, launched a new book and nonprofit in memory of his heroic scout dog, Chico. Pictured are Monahan and Chico in Vietnam in 1969. Photos provided.
Pictured is an article from The Herald in 1969 discussing the heroics of their hometown canine. Photo provided.
A new book and nonprofit created by a Cincinnati native and veteran aims to save 50,000 dogs.
Mike Monahan served as a scout dog handler for the 46th Scout Dog Platoon in the United States Army in Tay Ninh, Vietnam from May 1969 until April 1970.
For his service, Monahan earned the rank of sergeant, the Bronze Star and two Army Commendation medals, one with Valor and an Air Medal.
Monahan isn’t new to nonprofits or writing books; after his service, he spent 19 years as the executive director of a 501(c) personal growth seminar company and wrote five books.
The latest book, Chico’s Promise, is based on his canine partner from Vietnam, Chico, who is a German Shepherd mixed with what they believe to be Husky. The pair were tasked with walking point — the first position on patrol — and Chico saved Monahan’s life by alerting him to a tripwire hooked to explosives.
Dogs like Chico saved the lives of not just Monahan, but the lives of many American soldiers, Ken Williamson, the president of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 649 in Clermont County, said.
In fact, a newspaper article from The Herald based out of Williston, North Dakota on Dec. 4, 1969, talked about Chico, the former Willistonite, becoming a war hero. While the article noted Chico didn’t win a Bronze Star for saving his unit from two booby traps, several enemy bunkers and numerous fresh enemy trails on patrol, he did receive a “thick, juicy steak — raw.”
Prior to leaving for Vietnam, Chico serve with the Williston Police Department.
However, despite those heroics, 4,300 military dogs were abandoned and/or euthanized at the end of the Vietnam War. Only a year after the war, Chico was put down as well.
“For 50 years, his feelings for abandoning Chico have weighed heavy on Mike’s heart,” Williamson said. “Recently, he decided to tell Chico’s story and wrote the book, ‘Chico’s Promise,’ in his voice.”
Williamson was the primary editor and design consultant on the book. The pair raised $34,000 on Kickstarter to publish the book.
They’ve already paid the rescue fees for two dogs in Clermont County.
“It costs the shelters nothing and is a valuable public service vehicle,” Williamson said.
In honor of Chico’s memory and for Chico having saved his life, Monahan’s book proceeds and donations to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization will support no-kill shelters by paying the adoption fees to save 50,000 dogs.
“For over 50 years my experience with Chico lived in my heart and my mind. In 1969, I felt sadness as I left Chico behind, but today, I feel only love for the dog that saved my life,” Monahan said. “The story of Chico has been stuck inside me for the past 50 years for the right time and that time is now.”
He added, “It is the time for the world to hear from my superhero as I imagine he might tell his story. My dream is that millions of people will read Chico’s story, fall in love with him, become inspired, and join forces to improve the treatment of dogs by eliminating abuse and abandonment. If Chico were alive today, I know he would make that promise. Therefore, I wrote, ‘Chico’s Promise.’”
As for why 50,000 dogs, Monahan explained that he wants to help save 1,000 dogs for every year since Chico was put down.
To learn more, please visit www.chicospromise.com.