Spending time apart is the true test of friendship. If a friendship is built on a solid foundation, then it will last no matter how long the time apart goes on for. That’s why so many friendships crumble when distance gets in the way of things. They were never solid enough to begin with.
When Matthew Kropp joined the U.S army, he didn’t bank on meeting an extra-special friend.


Matthew served in the U.S. Army during the Iraq War in 2011, and when his tour ended, he decided to take a job at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Three years had passed since he first came out to Iraq, and in that time, Matthew met somebody who would change his life forever- Tina the German Shepherd!
Tina and Matthew share a bond that most people will never experience.


The German Shepherd was a service dog, and she had bravely helped Matthew find and disarm explosives, as well as preventing them from entering the embassy. They had been through some incredibly dark times together, and naturally, a strong bond had formed between the two.
Matthew was certain that Tina had saved his life on multiple occasions.


Not only that, but she had had a profound effect on his mental health.
“Without her, I wouldn’t be able to live,” said Matthew.
By 2017, Matthew had decided that it was time for a change.


Service dogs retire at a very young age, as new, younger dogs are constantly taking their place. Tina was sent home for retirement in 2017, while Matthew stayed on in Iraq for a while longer without his friend. He had no idea where she had been taken to, and was heartbroken at the prospect of never seeing her again.
When Matthew travelled back to Pennsylvania to visit family, he knew what he needed to do.


He was in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, when he decided to reach out to a nearby organization to see if they could help. K9 Hero Haven look after retired veteran dogs and help to pair them up with new adoptive families. If anyone was going to help find Tina, it would be them.
Anne Gibbs, the director of Hero Haven, finally found Tina.


Matthew had to head back to Iraq, but they managed to plan a reunion between the pair for a year later. We bet it was the longest year of his life!
When the day finally arrived, Matthew arrived at Country Cupboard restaurant in Lewisburg, PA, where he nervously waited for his friend to turn up.


The atmosphere was incredibly tense. The moment was going to be captured on live TV, so if Tina didn’t remember her special friend, then the whole world would know about it!
“I’m hoping that she’s excited and that she remembers me. That’s what I’m really hoping for,” said Kropp
Luckily, the moment that Tina clapped eyes on Matthew, it was clear to see all the memories come rushing back.


Tina bounded straight towards Matthew and leapt up into his arms. It’s hard to tell who was more happy to see the other! Tina was truly in her element as Matthew gave her lots of pets and belly rubs.


It was the moment that Matthew had been dreaming about.
The special reunion is enough to bring a tear to our eye. The pair have been through unimaginable things together, and their bond is clearly unbreakable. What an honor to be able to serve with each other.


Watch the emotional video for yourself below.
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