TUCSON, Ariz. – A Military Working Dog and his handler who were separated had an emotional reunion in Arizona this week.
Watch a video of the reunion below.
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Rick, a 7-year-old German shepherd, was an explosives-sniffing dog in South Korea.
He and U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Amanda Cubbage did more than 30 explosives sweeps. He would patrol for bombs, perform security sweeps throughout the installation, search the vehicles of important dignitaries, sweep postal facilities and sweep the travel routes for Explosive Ordinance Disposal during bomb threats.
“I needed him more than anyone that isn’t a K-9 handler would ever be able to understand. He was there for my happiest days in Korea and the saddest days that I ever had there,” Staff Sgt. Cubbage said. “He is a part of my heart that I will be able to get back. I need him as much as he needs me.”
The two were so close that he was her date to her Air Force Ball.
American Humane, with the support of the Hallmark Channel and Hormel Foods, sent a veterinarian to South Korea’s Osan Air Base to pick up Rick and bring him to the U.S., where he was reunited with Staff Sgt. Cubbage near the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where she is stationed.
“I couldn’t have been any happier than the day I got the email that I could bring him home forever. I can’t wait to pick up where we left off. He was my buddy, and I missed him each and every day. There is just something about having your partner finally home with you that can’t be explained,” she said.
Watch American Humane's video of Staff Sgt. Cubbage and Rick being reunited below.
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