K-9 veteran “Franky”, a 10-year-old German shepherd trained in explosive discovery and bite work, has been reunited with his holder from American Human Society (AHS) after three years away.
The military dog’s reunification program (MWD) gathered Franky and its holder, Staff Staf SGT. Kristin Vanderzanden, in San Antonio.
They worked together from 2017 to 2021, and K-9 retired in January. Franky’s first controller was Vanderzanden during his term, and the dog was its first K-9.
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Vanderzanden, one of the two training sergeants for the MWD Army Program, served with K-9 for nearly 4½ years. Their service together included a nine-month-old fighter tournament in Afghanistan and a 10-month war tour in Iraq.
The K-9 Franky Military Workshop was adopted by his litter in Germany by a Defense Department recruiter before starting training in the United States. (Rick Kern/Getty Images for American Human Society)
Franky’s composition during a mission with some American victims after encountering the sniper fire round and mortal in Afghanistan allowed the MWD to continue seeking explosives. The K-9 became something of a mascot for the US Special Forces team and then on the basis of “its sweet, staggering personality”, according to Vanderzanden.
Binding beyond the protocol, Franky slept on the floor of the Vanderzanden room during their placement in Afghanistan instead of his dill.
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Vanderzanden and Franky also completed 20 secret service missions together, defending the President and the First Lady and some foreign personalities.
Vanderzanden was re -designated in Fort Drum north of New York in 2021, separating it from Franky. In an interview with AHS, Vanderzanden showed that she was destroyed to leave Franky at Fort Johnson in Luiziana, saying “it was like leaving behind a child.”
SGT Army staff. Kristin Vanderzanden said Franky was her “real constant” during the first half of her army career. (Rick Kern/Getty Images for American Human Society)
Vanderzanden also said she was “falling in love with less” to see Franky again when it was rumored to be retired due to old age. Franky served with three holders during his military service, but is especially close to Vanderzanden.
The reunification program paid for the K-9 trip from Fort Johnson to San Antonio to reunite Vanderzanden and Franky.
AHS will also cover all veterinary costs for the rest of Franky’s life.
American Human Society reunited a retired military worker, Franky, with his former holder, Staff SGT. Kristin Vanderzanden, February 22, in San Antonio. (Rick Kern/Getty Images for American Human Society)
Vanderzanden is excited to give Franky the opportunity to enjoy a dog, resting in bed and living in a house instead of a Kennel, according to the release.
“Franky is an extraordinary dog that made invaluable contributions to our country,” Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of AHS, for Fox News Digital.
“Like his other dogs working military, Franky is an unprecedented hero who deserves our gratitude and respect. Human American society was honored to help him reunite and pension.”
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According to the program, “American Human Society honors the contributions of the rescue of all veterans, including dogs working military (MWDs) who endangered their lives by boldly serving our country.”
Franky will join the other dog of Vanderzanden, a mixture of German dogs and cattle called Cora as the youngest family member.
