On Monday, November 11, 2024, Owen-Withee Elementary students, grades 4K-2nd, were treated to a presentation by author Kelly Nelson. Susan Nelson, former teacher at OWES, reached out to the elementary librarian about having her sister-in-law Kelly Nelson come visit the school and talk about the book she wrote about a WWII war dog. Kelly Nelson grew up in Shawano and after graduating from UW-Stout, worked for a printing company and in a library. She is married to husband, Jason Nelson, and stayed at home for a time to raise their two children and later started a pre-school near their home. Kelly and her husband share their home with two pugs, Mabel, 8, and ZuZu, 2, and a cat, Lenny.

Kelly presented the amazing story of her book entitled “Brownie the War Dog, A Veteran’s Best Friend” and gave a brief history of the Dogs for Defense program, in which dogs were trained and used for guard and patrol duties. It took her five years of writing and research to complete this historical story for children.
Kelly was inspired to write this story after visiting the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King seeking a suitable place for her father, a Korean War veteran, who was in the late stage of dementia.

It was while touring that home that she discovered the heartwarming true story of a boy named Oren Kendley who sacrificed his beloved dog Brownie to help soldiers at war. Oren learned of the Dogs for Defense program from his school and signed Brownie up by cutting a coupon from a bag of Purina Dog Chow and answering a questionnaire. Once he was accepted Brownie was crated up and sent by steam engine to Fort Robinson, Nebraska. Oren was heartbroken hearing his dog howl through the holes in the crate as the train was ready to leave the station. In the book, Kelly writes, "Oren fought back tears while guiding Brownie into the wooden shipping crate for his long journey. Oren tried to be brave, just like Brownie would have to be brave."

Brownie helped with the war effort until he was sent home due to an eye injury but his service to his country and veterans did not end there, he spent several years giving comfort to veterans convalescing at the King Veterans Home where Oren’s mother worked as a cook.

The students were captivated by Kelly’s presentation and asked many questions. After all were excused from the gym, Kelly, her husband Jason, Susan and Jesse Nelson escorted “Brownie” a stuffed German Shepherd, to the classrooms to give out medals (like Brownie wore), take pictures, autograph books, and give away t-shirts.

Kelly said she was very grateful for the warm welcome and enjoyed retelling this story. The next day “Brownie, the War Dog” was read during library story time and the students were very excited that they had met the author and already knew about this dog who was a veteran’s best friend.