FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga.  – Dogs that have served heroically in the U.S. Armed Forces and with First Responders received special recognition over the weekend when the county unveiled a statue monument with an engraved plaque at the Coal Mountain Dog Park (4060 County Way).

District 4 Commissioner Cindy Mills and President of the Forsyth County Patriots Alliance David Hopkins provided remarks during the event that was attended by community members as well as local veterans.

“The County is always proud to honor our veterans and we hope this monument will be enjoyed by all that visit the dog park,” said Mills. “The American Humane Society estimates that each working service dog in the armed forces saves between 150 and 200 lives throughout their service, so to be able to recognize these dogs specifically at a dog park here across from the Animal Shelter is very special.”

Funding for the monument was allocated out of a portion of funds for the Veteran’s Memorial located in downtown Cumming which came from SPLOST VIII funds. The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners approved the installation of the monument during their Dec. 21, 2021 work session.

The statue design and location was determined in partnership with the Forsyth County Patriots Alliance.The artist of the monument is Susan Norris.

The Coal Mountain Dog Park features synthetic dog turf, dog water fountains, climbing boulder, wooded areas, dog walk ramp, tunnel, sunshades, shaded benches and two family-style restrooms.The four-acre dog park is funded by donations, the Parks & Recreation Capital Funds and by SPLOST VIII. The park opened in Nov. 2020.