See the heartwarming reunion between military dog and handler

Staff Sgt. Mike Alcala worked with a German shepherd named John for three years in Hawaii, but then Alcala’s skills were needed elsewhere as John had to continue to serve on the island. NBC’s Morgan Chesky reports for TODAY on their heartwarming reunion following John’s retirement.
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#hawaii #dog #military

[@westwasbest]

Every single military dog needs to come home with their owners, absolutely!

[@GG-hj6kg]

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Enjoy your retirement! ❤🇺🇸🐶

[@sharonsolana]

I love that John had a few seats to stretch out in the cabin! ⋆✰ 🇺🇸 ⋆✰⋆ 🇺🇸 ⋆✰⋆

[@user-vx8xv2qq5v]

This story brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy Sgt. Alcala and John were reunited. Thank you for airing this story!

[@elizabethe6746]

Acupuncture, laser treatment, etc gave my dog so much comfort and relief in her older years. I hope the same for beautiful John!

[@sallyjones9702]

I thought he looked like he was struggling a bit in his hind quarters. Advanced years can do that I suppose speaking from experience!

[@tamarabeinlich7353]

Aww his eyes are beginning to cloud. 10 years old was to long for the military to keep him, not fair! Good luck John and Mike have lots a of fun.

[@barbaranymiel3089]

This made me cry from seeing John reunited with his human.

[@andyroo9381]

I am crying! C - R - Y - I - N - G.

[@bibiberlin6220]

ME too!!!

[@sharonsolana]

We love you John and salute you! ⋆✰ 🇺🇸 ⋆✰⋆ 🇺🇸 ⋆✰⋆

[@reneetf3587]

So happy you were reunited ❤

[@chatty6955]

Thank Goodness They’re Able To Take The Senior Dog In Even Though They Have A Baby. I Wish Them Many Good Blessings.

[@cherylbrown3067]

Thank you for your service John! 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸

[@suzanne296]

Gosh I love hearing this. Bless the dog.

[@unseelie63]

Such a good boy! You can see the toll time has taken on him,but I've sure that he'll be given all the love and excellent care he needs to live out the time he has left in comfort.I thank them both for their service.

[@doylebrockman8225]

Love all hardened warriors. Tougher than i ever was. Man, family,children, ducks, cows, horses,cats, etc. They are ingrained with unbelievable instincts. Our protectors, psych. Dr., loyal part of my life.

[@susangordon1833]

Thank for your service...welcome Home ❤🥰🐾🐕

[@wesner326]

Thank you both your service! Enjoy your well deserved retirement John.

[@jakiwright372]

What a Faithful wee dog to his master, and deserves to be treated like a King ❤

[@sandrasharp2934]

John should have been released a year or so ago! He is obviously suffering severe arthritis and pain

[@tamelahardyman1876]

Simply. .. Thank You Both ❤

[@judyeason299]

Omgosh! I can't stop crying. Welcome home John. I salute you. Also Sir; thanks for serving our country and keeping me safe. God bless this happy family.

[@mortalclown3812]

😊❤🐕💪💫 Please get that boy all the puppacinos and CBD treats for his old bones. Beautiful dog. And thanks to everyone who rescues animals.

[@amalghalie3973]

Absolutely adorable story ... Best friends for life ... God bless you all 😊❤

[@MrMrgarmor]

Wishing you two and your family a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! Glad your reunited 🇺🇸🙏 thanks for your hard work and sacrifices.

[@bernadetteskea3219]

What a sweet family

[@WigFliper-xx3ol]

LOVE IS PRICELESS

[@georgemason72]

Great video

[@Rod3E900]

Outstanding story...Congratulations on getting your friend back !!!

[@Diana-007]

What a wonderful story 😢 John you are a hero, now handsome old boy, enjoy your well earned retirement with your lovely family, so glad your army “dad” came back for you. Promises made…..🥰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@Provid]

Wonderful story!

[@Chicago2714]

S/o to bro and the dog.💯

[@francoisbouvier7861]

What's all the fuss, both times there's applause. If humans could be so humble.

[@kedmonds2123]

This video was sooo sweet It almost moved me to tears!! Thank you both for your services!!

[@joseph.shammami9525]

Hey. Michael. Your. Family. To. Us. And. Everyone. Thank. You Very. Much. For. Service. 🇺🇸👨‍🏭 ❤️🙏😘

[@patrickmcevoy3257]

Hi saw the reunion between handler and the dog very touching sarge to u and your dog thank you for your service and protecting our country welcome home

[@rvnpgrvnpg4395]

Thank you for your service pup john ❤ 🇺🇸

[@maargenbx1454]

I’m so glad John made it through. Humans blowing each other up is a perverse way to handle conflict - it’s disgusting that we involve animals in that at all, who will get hurt if they make a mistake but they don’t know that. It’s horrible and arrogant that we use them any way we want. If we think killing each other is an honorable thing to do we should keep it among ourselves and at least leave animals out of it. Thanks for your service, John. Glad you made it out ok.

[@heatherprator3185]

Melted my heart. Good job

[@kathleenshabaan3806]

Wonderful video! God bless u all. ❤🙏

[@karenstafford724]

What a beautiful and heartwarming story ❤❤❤😊😊

[@rebeccahiggins2369]

Made me cry! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@maureenackerley8024]

That warms my heart so much. 💓 ❤🐾

[@agnesmaloco2818]

Thank u Jesus❤❤❤

[@darksideofthemoon7332]

This family has the finest companion you could ever find. This dog has been proven through Hellfire already to defend that family with its life. The vast majority of us have dogs, but only a rare lucky few have a warrior guarding their family. So glad you got him back. You both earned it!

[@1jackvalley580]

Congratulations John, Thank You for your service 🐕‍🦺. I'm so happy you're Forever home Is with your previous handler and family. Stay Safe, and enjoy those Puppicino's ❤❤❤❤🙏

[@mickjagger8439]

FINALLY HAPPY NEWS 💝💝

[@joyceervin8683]

They serve our country and should be honored!🤗

[@user-xs1je4cg2c]

Story with happy ending❤❤

[@ngrobert5054]

I miss you Brownie

[@zuggraywolf]

Mike - There is a new medicine available called Librela. It is a monthly, injectable administered by your veterinarian. It's a pain blocker that works very well on older dogs suffering from osteoarthritis, such as John. My 13 yo Shepherd thrived on this medicine. God bless the both of you.

[@Smags06]

I am not crying or anything hooooah

[@mickjagger8439]

Good news!

[@user-jm9yx8bl8o]

Cute letter 10

[@cricketlovely8541]

Yaya 😊❤

[@yvonnemurray5537]

I’ve seen many military dogs reunited with their handlers once they retired and I hope to see many more. P.S. you normally see German Shepards in this role, but did you know that in WW1 & I think WW2, there were also Standard Poodles that served our country! There’s a book out there about them. I used to have a Standard, which lead me to read that book.

[@TheEmpressPalpatine]

I love a happy ending. If you want to support the veterinary needs of service dogs support Paws Of Honor. When they are retired they do not get government benefits, and sometimes the handlers who keep their dogs need help with vet bills.

[@Ausgar-yc1yl]

Military dogs are NOT service dogs.

[@vhacker71]

❤😊

[@LD__]

❤

[@user-sw7ze2cn3v]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@kimmarievan-ever6599]

All ex service dawgs should be able to retire with their partners..he has a bit of arthritis l think as he was limping a bit but we know John will be lavished with love from day 1.. Thank you both for your exemplary service

[@Ausgar-yc1yl]

Military dogs are NOT service dogs.

[@AM-qg6bj]

❤️❤️❤️

[@srijitsarkar7168]

One like like button is not sufficient here guys, Praying that you live peacefully and healthily dear baby John.

[@kareneide]

I got a little misty!

[@mischa6688]

Onions. I wish all the dogs a happy life, even mine.

[@JanineNielson-zz9uy]

He should have been retired earlier lMO 😢

[@danawilliams2450]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🥰🥰🥰

[@user-cd5he8ft1n]

Crazy Mother 2008

[@user-xz6pf6qf1b]

Вот так как ты

[@Isa-js3ve]

The dog couldn't care less!!!!!

[@csabahajnalka4775]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🇭🇺

[@muhammadrusdirasyid7277]

Ok

[@karendooks6244]

He needs to see a doggy chiropractor with the way he's walking, and some Y Moves to supplement him

[@doylebrockman8225]

Get John off the leash, he will adapt.

[@jgambe78]

Poor boy, they always have hip problems seemingly

[@user-tq7ks2xu1c]

This is Megan Leavey's legacy comnecting service dogs ro their handlers

[@Ausgar-yc1yl]

It is NOT a service dog. Military dogs are NOT service dogs.

[@user-tq7ks2xu1c]

@@Ausgar-yc1yl was the dog in the service yes they were I'm not talking about service dog for the blind

[@conniewolf7300]

That dog doesn't look so good!!!

[@melissalee3040]

Why didn't they retire him earlier?

[@Pippi-Longstocking]

Before 2016, US military dogs were considered equipment and after their tour of duty or if troops were evacuated after a declaration of end of war. All equipment was destroyed. Including our brave K9s. They not come back from Vietnam unless they were adopted locally and then found homes. In the 1990s purina wanted to erect a statue for them and put it in the national cemetery, but they were not allowed to because military dogs were considered. Equipment and weaponry is not allowed to be displayed there. They raise money for two statues I believe one is in March Air Force Base in Riverside, California. In 2016, the National Defense Authorization Act changed that. Obama made military dogs soldiers, and not equipment. This act requires our Canine soldiers to be returned to US soil when they retire, and their former handlers will be given the first chance to adopt them.

[@durganath-fv3uz]

Weak engineer 23

[@annette3446]

Here come all the keyboard cruising military dog training experts to chime in on John's situation.

[@octaviograciano9049]

❤❤❤