War Dog Reunites With His Best Friend

AARP
AARP
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Published 2022-03-11
Military working dogs undergo rigorous training. They are taught to detect explosives, to sniff out drugs and to assist soldiers and police officers in some of the most dangerous situations in the world. Consequently, the bond formed between a handler and a dog is unique, a bond that surpasses that of mere pet and owner. When Staff Sgt. Angela Lowe started working with Szultan, a grumpy German shepherd with a bone-crushing bite, she knew the training would require a lot of time and patience. But once things clicked, their relationship solidified, and Lowe knew she could rely on Szultan. The constant wear and tear on her body from training dogs eventually forced Lowe to retire from the Air Force, but over the years, she never stopped thinking about Szultan, and when she got the call that the dog was being retired, she knew she had to find a way to bring him home. Unable to drive down to Joint Base Charleston to retrieve him, Lowe contacted Mission K9 Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to rehoming military working dogs. As they have done for countless other dogs, Mission K9 cofounders Kristen Mauer and Louisa Kastner stepped in to reunite Szultan and Lowe. To learn more about Mission K9 Rescue and to support its work, go to missionk9rescue.org/.

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CHAPTERS
00:00 War Dog
00:28 Military working dogs are trained to protect our country
00:52 It's important for handlers to mesh with their military dog
02:06 Medical retirement and leaving military dog behind
03:24 When handlers leave the military, they never know if they will see their dog again
04:35 Mission K9
06:21 Picking up Szultan the military dog
07:01 Handler reunites with war dog

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All Comments (21)
  • @AARP
    Watch our final episode of "Reporting for Duty," and meet the Air Force veterans turning our nation's heroes into music stars: https://youtu.be/fSZovLyrsvA You can watch the entire 14-part series here: www.aarp.org/reportingforduty AARP is honored to fight for issues that are important to nearly 4 million AARP members who have served in America’s military and their families. Veterans have given their all for this country, and they deserve supportive services to help them live their best lives.
  • @cynthialewis7460
    Military dogs should NEVER EVER lose their vet status! They serve and when retired, they should be respected as a “retired” vet…period!
  • @shurimasfactory7013
    I am from Switzerland 🇨🇭 and our military service dogs will always stay by it‘s primary handler even after the military. This is very important, to keep the dog trained and ready at all time with somebody, who can work with him at all time since the beginning of his life!
  • @m.marrakchi9393
    Hard not to get emotional hearing her talk about being discharged. You can tell she loved it. ❤
  • @awesomekoga7848
    These dogs are heroes. They do so much and go into more dangerous situations without being given a choice. They risk their lives to keep us safe. I’m so glad they are now being reunited with their handlers. I don’t see how once they leave the military they can’t be given a ride to their handlers. That should be a given as thanks for them risking their lives. Bless these dogs! 💜💕❤️🙏🌈💜💕❤️🙏🌈
  • @bobdixon4998
    Euthanizing a service dog is criminal! faithful to each other!!
  • @deborahjeanne2141
    It’s criminal that these dogs and their handlers can’t just be discharged together as a pair. It shouldn’t cost the veterans mounds of paper work, hundreds of dollars and several months to unite these separated soldiers. It should be automatic. And I agree, the government should pay for their medical bills for life.
  • @sebdetyra651
    I'm not even American, I'm Irish, but the tears are flowing. We are truly gifted by our best friends that we've been together for at least 15k years.
  • @dallaskoivu8951
    These dogs should never be separated from their primary handlers in exchange for serving us they should be permitted to live out their lives with the human the Primarily bonded with their human So to speak
  • @MariaAbrams
    These dogs should be seen as Vets. They ARE. They should have their medical bills paid forever and shouldn't be put down just for a behavioral issue that can probably be fixed or worked with! I'm so happy this guy got to be reunited with his human friend/family 💗 he deserves to enjoy his retirement.
  • @brendaguffey1655
    To all military dogs thank you for your service and for the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country you shall never be forgotten RIP 🇺🇸
  • @pacettid
    As a 27.5 year career in the USN, this salute is for you and your dog 07. Thanks so much for your service. Well done!
  • @charlescrosswhite4845
    Thats ridiculous. Of course they are veterans. They should be treated as such. Thank God there are folks out there to step up to the plate. Thank you veterans and your canine partners for all you do!💖
  • @jamesgunn7975
    The Military Working DOG is a veteran. I'm a 26 year veteran. When I retired I was still a veteran. The MWD When she/he retires they go from veteran to pet and not entitled to join the veteran who wants her/him at government expense, WHY? Is it because they have 4 legs and fur? They served in life threatening situations with their human and DESERVES to be treated as any other veteran. The military, out of gratitude for there dedication and love for there humans, should reunit the veteran with there mate at government expense. We OWE these 4 legged, fur coated HEROS . The veteran shouldn't be required to pay travel expenses to have there battle buddy with them. Thank you Mission K9. ✝️🇺🇲❤🐕🐕‍🦺🐕🐕‍🦺💕🇺🇲✝️
  • @theblacksp1derman
    It’s fitting that both soldiers found each other again, thank you both for your service 🇱🇷🫡
  • @glock19gen3
    While I love this, it is criminal that a dog that has served for years, once retired, is no longer a vet, but a pet! This is outrageous!
  • @DM-uv3sd
    What a beautiful service. These animals should NEVER be allowed to be forgotten, God Bless you!!!
  • @tlbryant88
    Poor dog looks a bit bewildered when they first hand him over but after some time together and the follow up, he appears to have settled in and has a smile in his eyes. What a great retirement for him and a fantastic gift of love for her.