In honor of the start Military Appreciation Month, American Humane Society is sharing news of a recent reunification that shows the unbreakable bond between humans and their canine companions. U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant (TSgt) and military Kennel Master Dakota was recently reunited with his beloved Military Working Dog, Joker.
Joker is now retired and has now been adopted by TSgt Dakota following this touching reunion on Easter Sunday, 2025. Joker served in the military as an explosive detection dog for nearly seven years on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. TSgt Hood was Joker’s first handler, and they worked together for three years, when TSgt Hood stepped into a new role as a K-9 trainer.
During their time together, TSgt Hood and Joker went to Guam for a multinational military exercise and conducted explosives sweeps for three of the Rim of the Pacific exercises. They also took part in sweeps with the Secret Service, helping protect the U.S. President, Vice President, and First Lady, as well as the Presidents of Korea and the Philippines.
The two were separated in 2022 when TSgt Dakota was reassigned to a different Air Force base. TSgt Dakota was heartbroken to leave Joker, who remained on base in Hawaii. However, upon hearing that it was time for Joker to retire, TSgt Dakota was thrilled to adopt him and give Joker the “couch life” he deserves—one filled with the rest and relaxation he earned after serving our country.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to bring military working dog Joker home and reunite him with his best friend,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane Society. “American Humane Society is honored to help give this courageous canine the comfortable retirement he deserves after seven years of distinguished service to our country.”
To help ensure a smooth transition, American Humane Society travelled to Hawaii to pick Joker up and safely brought him all the way to Oklahoma so that TSgt could be reunited with his canine companion. Additionally, American Humane Society will be paying for Joker’s veterinary bills for the rest of his life.
This touching reunion serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by both service members and their loyal dogs, who work tirelessly to protect our freedoms. We celebrate this special bond and cherish our role helping these heroes on both ends of the leash enjoy their lives together.
Visit the Military Dog Reunification page to learn more and to support this program and to see photos of the touching reunion, please visit use this link.
About American Humane Society:
American Humane Society is the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare, helping to verify the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. Founded in 1877, American Humane Society has been at the forefront of virtually every major advancement in the humane movement to rescue, care for and protect animals. For more information or to support our life-changing work, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram and subscribe to our channel on YouTube f
or the latest breaking news and features about the animals with whom we share our Earth.
###