Heroic army dog receives well-earned medal

[Secret Chief]

Much like those who utilize them?

The difference being - soldiers (whether volunteers or conscripts) are aware of what machine guns do. If they put their lives in danger to save others then yes they are being brave.
Dogs, on the other hand, do not volunteer; such military dogs in essence are "conscripted" and then trained to do things in ignorance of the danger to their life that the situation poses. They are not acting bravely, they are being abused but are not aware of it. (The same as the "brave" hundreds of thousands of horses that died from shooting and gassing in the course of WW1).

 

[Jedster]

Most dogs are better than most people.

I have heard it said that dogs are bhaktis and cats are jnanis.