Just noticed a shaved patch on Andy's right foreleg - he's had treatment recently.

I just caught that myself. You beat me to the post. Must have been something more than routine. My vet never shaves my dogs to draw blood.
I was thinking they most likely check these soldiers blood frequently and do that as a sterility thing.
I'd like to think it was his name, rank, and serial #. And his decorations.
I've never met any GI dogs except for these.