In a lovely gesture during the week leading up to Thanksgiving, a retired military dog Yyacob was reunited with his former US Army Staff Sergeant (Ssg) and handler, Payton May.
Yyacob and May served together for 9 months in Iraq, and saw each other for the first time in years in San Antonio, Texas.
The 8-year-old Belgian Malinois served as an explosives detection and patrol dog for nearly seven years of his life, protecting his fellow service members, civilians, and even US presidents. “We are grateful for the opportunity to bring military working dog Yyacob home and reunite him with his best friend,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane, the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare.
“American Humane is honored to help give this courageous canine the comfortable retirement he deserves after seven years of distinguished service to our country.”
As a team, Ssg. May and Yyacob completed the elite Patrol Explosive Detection Dog— Enhanced Course, an advanced program for police patrol and explosive detection dogs that teaches them to work effectively off-leash, going as far as a football field away from their handler. The sophisticated 60-day course was only taught three times a year with space for ten dog teams.
Was it love at first sight? Not exactly, says Ssg. May, whose first thought was “this dog is nuts”. However, it wasn’t long before he grew to adore the dutifully, tireless pooch.
Photo: ADEK BERRY / AFP / Getty Images