Matthew Kropp of Shenandoah is an Iraq War veteran who has been serving the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad since 2014. He was assisted in his duties by a trained military working dog – a German Shepherd named Tina. Together, they would prevent explosives and other harmful materials from entering the embassy.
In 2017, Tina was retired and sent back to the US. That’s when Matthew realized how much he missed the special bond he had with her. So, when he returned back to his family, the first thing on his mind was to go looking for Tina.
His search attempts led him to an organization called K9 Hero Haven, based out of Herndon, PA, that adopts and places retired military dogs. Run by Anne Gibbs, they have reached out to over 200 working dogs since 2015. Matthew’s efforts paid off, and soon, a grand reunion was arranged. Amidst all the camera and flashing lights, Matthew’s nervousness was evident. “I’m hoping that she remembers me. That’s what I’m really hoping for,” Kropp told WNEP.
But Tina remembered him! And how! She charged up to him and laid lots of face licks and got lots of belly rubs. Matthew has formally adopted Tina as a family pet and his wife and two kids are over the moon!
Matthew must go back to Iraq in a few weeks, so this was the perfect Christmas present for him! Tina is transitioning to retirement life smoothly. Matthew and his family remain grateful to K9 Hero Haven and wish them well for their noble efforts.
Click the video below to watch this nail-biting reunion!
If you enjoyed that story then keeping reading and we know you’ll love this next one too!
Dog Wants To Have Fun In Service Dog Training, Scores “Epic Fail” On Every Test
Ryker the German Shepherd is full of energy and enthusiasm, but he isn’t very good at being a service dog! When the trainers at “Double H Canine Training Academy” saw how brilliantly Ryker failed every single test in his service dog training, they decided to share his epic disaster of a video with the world!
Source: Double H Canine Training Academy/YouTube
At the start, it seems like Ryker is highly motivated to please his trainers. We see him diligently pulling his handler in a wheelchair, when his other trainer bounces a tennis ball at him. Like every dog ever, Ryker realizes that fetching the ball is of top priority. So he runs to get the ball, while the wheelchair falls flat on the ground with the handler!
Poor Ryker has been pulling (and occasionally chewing) wheelchairs all throughout his training. So when his handler opens a refrigerator in front of him, the adorably clueless dog’s first instinct is to drag away the fridge too. Aw! He just wants to show his trainers that he is a good boy!
Source: Double H Canine Training Academy/YouTube
Needless to say, Ryker flunked every test in his training module with equal enthusiasm. The poor thing is just not cut out for life as a service dog. He might be a wrecking ball as a service dog, but if you ever need a mover – Ryker is definitely your guy!
