Retired Navy Canine Reunites with Handler After 3 Years — See Images

• Frenky, a 10-year-old German Shepherd, served with Military Ssg. Kristin Vanderzanden, 34, for practically 4 and a half years
• The pair had been separated in 2021 after Vanderzanden was reassigned to Fort Drum in northern New York
• Vanderzanden was finally capable of completely reunite with Frenky after he retired by the assistance of the American Humane Society’s Navy Working Canine Reunification program

A working army canine was reunited along with his beloved handler after three years aside.

Frenky, a 10-year-old German Shepherd, served with Military Ssg. Kristin Vanderzanden, 34, for practically 4 and a half years — together with a nine-month fight tour in Afghanistan and a 10-month fight tour in Iraq. Throughout their time collectively, the pair accomplished roughly 20 Secret Service missions, together with defending the U.S. president, vp, first girl and several other international dignitaries, in response to the American Humane Society (AHS).

Frenky — whereas recognized for staying calm and picked up underneath stress, even within the face of sniper fireplace and mortar rounds — was additionally beloved for his “candy” and “goofy” character when off-duty. He quickly turned an unofficial mascot for his base and boosted morale for his fellow troopers, per an interview Vanderzanden did with the AHS.

Frenky and Vanderzanden had been finally separated in 2021 when Vanderzanden was reassigned to Fort Drum in northern New York. She recalled feeling heartbroken to depart Frenky at Fort Johnson in Louisiana, describing the expertise as “like leaving a toddler behind.”

“He’s had a huge effect on my life,” she stated throughout the interview. “I have been within the Military for about eight years now, and I spent 4 and a half of these years with him. We went by so much collectively, each in my profession and in my private life. He was my one fixed for these 4 and a half years by every part.”

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Vanderzanden stated she had a number of alternatives to go to Frenky since she was reassigned, however by no means took them as a result of she determined seeing him would “be tougher than the rest.”

She additionally stated that whereas she “at all times held out hope just a little bit at the back of my thoughts” that she would possibly sooner or later undertake the canine, she had “truthfully given up on him retiring.”

“He’s simply a type of working canine that was actually born for the job,” she added.

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Nevertheless, Vanderzanden shared that she realized that Frenky was set to retire from a good friend and former colleague in the summertime of 2024. At that time, she instantly reached out to the AHS within the hopes they may assist reunite them by their Navy Working Canine Reunification program.

She realized of this system, which is particularly designed to assist present and former army personnel reunite with their army canine, from an in depth good friend who used this system to reunite along with his personal retired army canine.

A consultant from the AHS finally picked up Frenky from Fort Johnson in Louisiana and personally escorted him to his new residence with Vanderzanden in San Antonio. Along with overlaying all transportation prices of the reunification, the group will present free veterinary look after the remainder of Frenky’s life.

“Now that he [Frenky] is retired, I simply need to have the ability to give him an precise canine life,” Vanderzanden stated throughout her interview. “He actually loves working, however I simply need him to have the ability to calm down and stay what we name ‘the sofa life.’ “

“He’s so good with folks and completely different stimuli, so I really need to have the ability to take him to parks and a number of the dog-friendly eating places round San Antonio. That’s stuff that I’ve at all times needed to have the ability to do with him, and it is thrilling that I’ve that chance now,” she added.

These fascinated by contributing to the American Humane Society’s Navy Working Canine Reunification program, and serving to different canine like Frenky reunite with their handlers, can donate right here.