Tears Flow As Retired Police Dog Reunites With Former Handler After Several Years Apart
“It is always hard to bid farewell to your buddy.”
Police dogs, often known as K-9 units, play a vital role in law enforcement agencies worldwide. Trained to detect illicit substances, find missing people, and apprehend criminals, they contribute significantly to maintaining public safety.
Over time, these dogs build an exceptional bond with their handlers, a relationship that goes beyond a typical pet and owner interaction. Their handlers become their family, their leaders, and their confidants.
This bond is not only a cornerstone for effective cooperation but also paramount for the dog's performance. Without this connection, the police dog may struggle to fulfill its duties optimally.
Such a deep-rooted bond forms the backdrop for this emotional story of a reunion between a retired police dog and her former handler. Wangwang, an 8-year-old German Shepherd, had dedicated her life to public service as a sniffer dog at security checkpoints in Xichuan County, China, before bidding her duties farewell in June 2019.
Following her retirement, Wangwang found a new home with an adoptive family, and her former handler continued his work as a patrol officer. Their paths took different directions, yet their bond remained unbroken.
So, when the officer found himself patrolling Wangwang's neighborhood one day, he decided to surprise his old companion with a visit. The touching reunion was caught on camera, capturing the moment when Wangwang saw her former handler.
The emotion was so overwhelming for the retired police dog that she wept tears of joy, visibly moved by the unexpected presence of her long-lost partner. This poignant moment underscores the strength of the bond between a handler and their police dog, a bond that endures beyond the line of duty.
Wangwang, an 8-year-old German Shepherd, was as a sniffer dog at security checkpoints in Xichuan County, China. Following her retirement, Wangwang found a new home with an adoptive family.
The touching reunion was caught on camera, capturing the moment when Wangwang saw her former handler.
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“Wangwang’s hair is turning white but she is well-fed, she is getting fat,” the Douyin post reads. “It is always hard to bid farewell to your buddy.”
BWBD/Douyin
Watch the heartwarming video here:
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The use of dogs for work and service purposes dates back thousands of years. Dogs have been employed as hunting companions, herders, and protectors since ancient times due to their keen senses and trainability.
As for service dogs specifically, their history is somewhat more recent. Guide dogs for the blind, one of the most recognized types of service dogs, began to be trained formally in the early 20th century.
The first guide dog training schools were established in Germany during World War I to enhance the mobility of returning veterans who were blinded in combat.
Police dogs, also known as K-9 units, have a history dating back to the 19th century. The London Metropolitan Police established the first official police dog unit in 1888 to help combat the notorious Jack the Ripper crimes.
In the United States, the use of police dogs became more common in the 20th century, particularly from the 1960s onward. Dogs are now used in a wide variety of service and working roles, including search and rescue, detecting illicit substances, providing emotional support, assisting individuals with disabilities, and more.
Their remarkable abilities, coupled with their close bond with humans, make them invaluable helpers and companions.
Damjan
