In a celebration filled with military might and history, it’s a four-legged companion who may steal the show.

As the U.S. Army prepares for its 250th birthday parade in Washington, D.C., an unlikely star is grabbing attention — Doc Holiday, a 2-year-old Blue Heeler and unofficial mascot of the Horse Cavalry Detachment at Fort Cavazos, Texas. Despite the tanks and armored vehicles, it's Doc’s charm that’s turning heads.

More than just cute, Doc supports the unit by guiding horses, boosting morale, and shadowing his handler, Trooper Noel Mendez. He lives at the barn full-time — in a room dubbed the “Holiday Inn.”

Having appeared in about 50 Texas parades, Doc is set to make his biggest debut yet, riding atop horses Trudy and Traveler through D.C. He represents a long tradition of military support animals — while mostly just aiming to “hang out and steal food,” says Mendez.

wusa9.com