Maria Dickin was a woman who strongly believed in the
well-being of animals. In 1943, she established the
Dickin Medal for Animal Bravery in the United Kingdom.
This award honors animals that show great courage and
help people during wartime. The first animals to receive
the Dickin Medal were three pigeons. The birds served
in the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force during World
War II. They carried messages to help locate air crews
that had crashed. Since it began, the Dickin Medal has
been awarded over seventy times. Its winners include
thirty-four dogs, thirty-two pigeons, four horses, and a
cat named Simon.
What is the main, or central, idea of the passage?
The Dickin Medal recognizes animals that serve during times of war.
Maria Dickin worked hard in her life to help animals in need.