WATCH: Retired military dog reunites with handler
A military dog will now be calling New Mexico home, and he won't be doing it alone.
Akim was reunited with his former handler Tuesday morning.
He's a 10-year-old German shepherd with a lot of experience. The canine not only specialized in finding drugs, but also served in the U.S. military.
"It's a crazy bond. It's something that I never would have predicted it to be," said Jenna Canada, a senior airman with the U.S. Air Force.
Canada was one of Akim's handlers.
The duo met in South Korea back in November 2020. She said it was a slow bond at first, but eventually turned into a true friendship.
"We've had our ups and downs and everything like that," Canada said. "Things slowly started to get better as a team after a few months. Then we finally made it to our validations and we made it through our certification."
However, things took a scary turn one day after Akim was stung by a bee.
At first, the canine was fine. Five minutes later, he stopped breathing.
"There was no veins at all, so there was no blood flow going through him. His gums were completely pale and he wasn't blinking or anything, so he was pretty much gone," Canada said.
Thankfully, with quick action and help from a nearby veterinarian, Akim survived.
A time Canada still remembers to this day.
"No words could explain how I was feeling in that moment," she said. "I wasn't crying at first. I was just like, 'Oh my God. Like, I need this dog to live.'"
The pair were eventually separated for over a year after Canada was reassigned to Kirtland Air Force Base.
Until Tuesday's special reunion at an Albuquerque home.
The moment was all thanks to the help of , a national organization that specializes in bringing military dogs back home.
"We started our work with the military way back in World War II, when we rescued injured horses from the battlefield. So we're continuing that relationship with the military by helping bring home retired military working dogs so they can be reunited with their handlers," Dr. Amy Hrin, national director of military affairs at American Humane, said.
Members of the team were just some of the few people to witness the special homecoming.
"It is such an honor to be able to do this kind of work and seeing Akim a hero in his own right, he's protected our country, kept us safe," Hrin said. "So to bring him home to the retirement he deserves is so powerful."
As for Akim, it's time for a life of dog treats and adventures.
With a loving companion by his side.
"He's a sweet boy, and I know he loves me as much as I love him," Canada said.
Watch the video above for the full story.