In 2000, Peter Haran, a tracking dog handler who served in Vietnam, wrote a book detailing his wartime experiences called “Trackers - The Untold Story of Australian Dogs of War”.  As a result, a member of the Sunshine Coast Vietnam Veterans’ Association, instigated the building of a memorial at Alexandra Headlands on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, dedicated to the 11 tracking dogs that served in Vietnam and because of quarantine restrictions at that time, were unable to be brought back to Australia.

Following this dedication, a number of like-minded Vietnam Veteran ex-trackers discussed the formation of a trackers association aimed at fostering a closer relationship among those who have served with military dogs.  In December 2001, approval was granted for the Australian Army Trackers and War Dogs Association to be incorporated in the state of Queensland.  From humble beginnings with only a hand full of members, the Association now boasts some 600 members Australia wide.  Membership includes veterans who served in Korea, Malaya, Borneo, South Vietnam, Somalia, Bougainville, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

The first Association reunion was held in March 2002 at Alexandra Headlands and the Association took the opportunity to dedicate plaques to recognise those dogs that served with Australian forces in Malaya, Borneo, Somalia and Bougainville.  With the attachment of those plaques to the memorial, this truly acknowledged the monument as the National War Dogs Memorial.  Following this reunion, MAJGEN Peter Phillips, AO, MC, the then National President of the RSL, agreed to become the Association’s Patron.

In April 2003, the Association held its second reunion in Goolwa, South Australia and dedicated a new monument to recognise trackers as a team. This monument is now accepted as the National Trackers Memorial.  On ANZAC Day 2003, the Association for the first time in its short history marched through Adelaide under its own banner.

In April 2004, the Association held its reunion in Rockhampton, Queensland.  As part of this reunion, a two-day seminar followed by a dog biathlon for serving dog handlers was also conducted.  Those who attended the activity marched on ANZAC Day as a single entity under the Association’s banner.

The 2005 reunion was to held at the Amberley RAAF Base in Queensland from 16-20 March.  The reunion included a two-day working dog seminar, which was attended by members from the Army, Air Force, Australian Corrective Services, Customs and Quarantine Inspection Services.  A dog biathlon was held on Friday 18 March with 29 members and dogs competing. This proved to be a major highlight of the reunion. On Sunday 20 March, a memorial and dedication service was held at the Amberley Air force Base to recognise those dogs and handlers who served in East Timor and the Solomon Islands. These plaques are now displayed on the National War Dog Memorial