Soldiers and the Military Working Dogs (MWDs) they work with are usually inseparable while serving side by side on battlefields around the world. In many cases, these soldiers and their battle buddies end up separated one or the other moves on to a new assignment or retires from military service. Thankfully, many of these former handlers are given the opportunity to reunite with their MWDs.

Many of these reunions are made possible by the individuals and organizations that work tirelessly to reunite MWDs and their former handlers. This includes Mollie Oliver, a flight attendant for United Airlines, who seeks to make these reunions possible in her spare time, as in the case of Sergeant Tom Hansen and his battle buddy Taylor.

Serving in Afghanistan together

Taylor, or Princess Taylor as she was called by the soldiers in her unit, is a yellow Labrador who served with Hansen in Afghanistan. Taylor, also nicknamed Tae-Tae, was so effective at her job, which was detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs), that the Taliban had put a bounty on her head.

In addition to reuniting the soldier with their former dog companions, Oliver also pays out of her own pocket to cover the costs associated with the dog’s transport to their new home. The former MWDs are flown in first class and receive pampered treatment in addition to the adoration of the other passengers on their flight.

Hansen was nervous as he waited for Taylor to arrive

As Sergeant Hansen waited nervously for his beloved Taylor to arrive, he did not know what to expect. All doubts were washed away when he saw her coming around the corner in the terminal. As soon as she saw him, Taylor sprinted across the airport to the arms of her former handler.

A heartwarming reunion

In tears, Hansen hugged Taylor close while everyone looked on, tears in their eyes as well. Now, the two could spend time together again, far from the battlefield where they first met. Soon, Oliver approached and congratulated Hansen on his reunification with his battle buddy, giving them both a hug.

Reuniting MWDs with their handlers

Thanks to people such as Oliver, hundreds of former MWDs are adopted each year, many by their former handler or another member of the armed services. Whenever an MWD retires, their handler gets the first chance at adopting them. In 90 percent of cases, that is exactly where they end up going, but in the other 10 percent of cases, these dogs are adopted out to someone else.

In some cases, where the MWD might be too aggressive, they are placed with law enforcement officers, who are better able to handle their temperament. In all cases, the MWD has to be evaluated before they can be put up for adoption to determine what kind of home best suits them.

You can watch the heartwarming video of Hanson and Taylor’s reunion below.

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Source: NBC News

H/T: I Love My Dog So Much, Three million Dogs, vetSTREET