Retired Military Working Dog Yyacob reunited with his former handler, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Payton May thanks to the efforts of American Humane.
The reunion took place Nov. 25 in San Antonio, Texas. Yyacob and May served together for 9 months in Iraq and their responsibilities included patrols, scanning vehicles, and checking everyone entering the base for ammunition or explosives.
“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. “American Humane is honored to help give this courageous canine the comfortable retirement he deserves after seven years of distinguished service to our country.”
Yyacob, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois, served as an explosives detection and patrol dog for nearly seven years, protecting his fellow service members, civilians, and even American presidents.
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 10 military working dog teams.
Their time overseas strengthened their already tight bond. May and Yyacob were together 24/7, sharing a room and sleeping together in a twin-sized bed. May describes Yyacob as a “big baby” who loved to cuddle and hog the bed.
The pair were separated in 2022 when May was reassigned to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas. May was heartbroken to have to leave Yyacob at Fort Drum Air Force Base.
When May learned that Yyacob was retiring and immediately reached out to American Humane. He learned about American Humane’s work reuniting MWDs with former handlers when the organization helped his friend Isaac, a fellow K-9 handler, reunite with his military dog in May.
Next year, the pair will embark on a new adventure in Italy, where May will be stationed next. May is looking forward to giving Yyacob a relaxing retirement.
In addition to covering all transportation costs of the reunification, American Humane will provide free veterinary care for the rest of Yyacob’s life.
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Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.