This beautiful German shepherd is Lucca. She was recently awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal, the highest honor any service animal can achieve and the equivalent of the Victoria Cross for bravery.
You may have noticed that Lucca is missing one of her front legs. She lost it while on duty in Afghanistan, sniffing out hidden IEDs. Her unwavering devotion to the task at hand saved lives, and as such, she’s returning home to her original handler, where she’ll live out the rest of her days in peace.
On duty
Before the accident, she trained and served two tours in Iraq with Gunnery Sgt. Chris Willingham. Their bond was an unbreakable one.
With her partner
In 2011, Lucca was reassigned to Cpl. Juan Rodriguez, and the two deployed to Afghanistan as part of 60 working dog teams. She bonded pretty quickly with Rodriguez as well — everyone always commented on her friendliness and steadiness.
Injured on the job
Lucca was able to sniff out IEDs with the best of them, but on March 23, 2012, right after locating a 30-pound pressure plate IED, another detonated beneath her, causing her to immediately lose her front left paw and receive severe burns to her chest. Rodriguez immediately ran to her in the path she had already cleared and put a tourniquet on her remaining leg. She was quickly airlifted to a medical care unit.
In recovery
Rodriguez stayed with her throughout the surgery and many nights after. Not only had she saved his life, but she was his partner and friend.
Never left her side
Have you ever seen such a good, faithful dog? Fortunately she adapted to having only three legs pretty quickly.
Welcome home
Since trainers are now allowed to adopt their dog partners once they’re done with their service, Lucca got to go home to Sgt. Willingham. She came home to quite the reception and gave her former trainer/now owner the most elated greeting. She was finally back with her first best friend.
Happy cuddles
Needless to say, Willingham is thrilled to have her home. “She is the only reason I made it home to my family, and I am fortunate to have served with her,” Willingham told The Telegraph. “Today, I do my best to keep her spoiled in her well-deserved retirement.”
Running free
Today, instead of sniffing out bombs, Lucca gets to sniff out toys and run with abandon.
Proud veteran
Even though she’s a dog, she’s also a veteran who successfully completed 400 missions and saved countless lives.
The highest honor
Lucca exemplifies what military dogs do for this country, and hopefully she’s just the first in a long line of Marine dogs to be recognized for all their work and bravery.
Check out the video of Lucca’s whole heroic story here.
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