When news reached retired Sargent Jason Bos that his former military dog named Cila had finally retired as well, he put a plan in motion to get her back.

‘Dogs of war’ means something different than it once did. Today, service animals are a vital part of the military, especially in the field. Dogs often detect bombs, and loyally work with one partner throughout a deployment.

Sadly, this is not always the case. Strong bonds between soldier and dog can be interrupted if one of the team retires before the other. This separation is what happened to Sargent Jason Bos retired from active duty in 2012. His canine companion, Cila remained in active duty, and he desperately missed her.

When news reached him Cila was finally retired as well, he had to get her back. With the help of the American Human Association and the Mission K9 Rescue, he reunites with Cila. Watch the touching reunion below.