Thanksgiving may be over, but the bond between U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Payton May and his retired military working dog Yyacob is forever. On Monday, November 26, 2024, American Humane orchestrated a touching reunion in San Antonio, Texas, between Yyacob, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois, and his former handler, Ssg. May. After two and a half years apart, the duo, who served together in Iraq, were finally back together, just in time for Thanksgiving—something the two of them are beyond grateful for.

Military Background

Staff Sergeant May’s History and Role with the U.S. Army

Ssg. May comes from a proud military lineage: his grandfather served in the National Guard, while his great-uncles were part of the Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy. Following in their footsteps, Ssg. May enlisted in the U.S. Army at just 18 years old, driven by a desire to deploy overseas and serve his country. Initially assigned to the sniper section as an infantryman, he excelled in his role but soon discovered a new path that would change his military career.

While considering leaving the Army, Ssg. May learned about the K-9 handling program, a position he hadn’t known existed. As a lifelong animal lover who grew up with beloved family dogs, the opportunity to combine his passion for animals with his military service was impossible to resist. Referred to as a “unicorn job” due to its rarity and prestige, he eagerly applied and was thrilled to be accepted. After completing the K-9 handlers course in June 2020, Ssg. May met his prospective partner, Yyacob, marking the beginning of a remarkable partnership.

Yyacob’s Vital Role in the Military

Yyacob wasn’t just any military working dog—he was part of the elite Patrol Explosive Detection Dog – Enhanced (PEDD-E) program. You may have heard of this program before when we shared the story of Sgt. Michael Fletcher’s reunion with his now retired K-9 partner Dasty.

Dogs in this program are trained to identify ammunition and explosives from up to a football field away. It’s gruelling and is only taught three times per year with space for only 10 military working dog teams, but it creates highly effective teams that operate with a unique level of trust and independence.  Yyacob’s work was critical in safeguarding military personnel and civilians in high-risk areas, and he saved countless lives throughout his seven years of service. But beyond his professional contributions, Yyacob was a loyal companion to Ssg. May throughout their deployment.

Building a Bond Through Trust and Hard Work

The connection between Yyacob and Ssg. May didn’t happen overnight. In fact, upon meeting Yyacob for the first time, Ssg. May recalls thinking “This dog is nuts!” But, that didn’t stop him from adoring him. While boisterous, he could immediately see how hardworking and highly driven Yyacob was, and he was incredibly easy to train and get along with, making him the ideal canine counterpart. Ssg. May also loved Yyacob’s keen sense of when it was time to work and when it was time to play. While off duty, he was an affectionate “cuddle bug.”

The two became a certified team in December 2020. “After a while of working with each other, going on Secret Service Missions, and going on deployment, we were able to come together. We built that trust with a hard work ethic and came to a happy medium with each other. That’s why, when it comes to our personalities, we mix together well,” Ssg. May shared.

The two were deployed to Iraq from July 2021 to April 2022, and the pair’s mission was patrols, scanning vehicles, and checking all base entrants for ammunition or explosives. The deployment was Ssg. May’s first time out of the country, and Yyacob was able to help Ssg. May cope with the austere environment and loneliness that deployment can bring. Yyacob and Ssg. May were together 24/7, shared a room, and even a twin bed (and it sounds like the cuddle bug Yyacob liked to take up most of the little space they had), so their bond continued to strengthen.

A Heartbreaking Separation

In June 2022, Ssg. May was reassigned to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Forced to leave Yyacob at Fort Drum, he was devastated. “Coming back from a nine-month deployment and then not seeing him… it was really heartbreaking,” Ssg. May shared.

Yyacob struggled too, unable to bond with a new handler, so he was assigned a carer and was not on active duty. Knowing that Yyacob wasn’t working made the separation even more difficult for Ssg. May, and he was persistent in his requests for the military to retire Yyacob so that he could rest and enjoy the rest of his life. This fall, his efforts paid offl when Yyacob’s retirement was approved.

A Long-Awaited Reunion

Ssg. May immediately reached out to American Humane for assistance upon hearing about his retirement. He first became familiar with the nonprofit organization when they helped his friend, fellow K-9 handler Isaac Weissman, reunite with his military dog earlier in May. American Humane quickly stepped in to support Ssg. May’s request, arranging for Yyacob’s journey from Fort Drum in New York to Texas. Yyacob received VIP treatment during his travels, with an American Humane handler personally escorting him and ensuring he had his own seat on an American Airlines flight to San Antonio.

On Monday, Nov. 25, Ssg. May and Yyacob experienced a heartwarming reunion in San Antonio. Thrilled to officially adopt Yyacob, Ssg. May is committed to providing the well-deserved, restful retirement the canine veteran has earned. He’s particularly excited about traveling with his best friend and “giving him the couch he deserves,” while focusing on keeping Yyacob healthy and nurturing their special bond. Their next adventure will take them to Vicenza, Italy, where Ssg. May is set to be stationed. In addition to facilitating Yyacob’s transportation, American Humane will also provide free veterinary care for the dog for the rest of his life, ensuring his well-being in retirement.

About American Humane

American Humane handles the complex process of transporting and assisting former handlers in adopting their K-9 counterparts when they retire. The organization covers the travel costs for transporting the dog and provides lifelong veterinary care for the retired K-9s.

Like human veterans, K-9 veterans often retire with medical conditions that require extensive—and expensive—veterinary care, but the government does not cover these costs. That’s why American Humane steps in to cover all medical bills for the working dogs they bring home, ensuring these K-9 veterans receive the comfortable and dignified retirement they deserve.

American Humane is the USA’s first and largest humane organization. Please note they are just known by two names – American Humane – and do not include ‘Society’ in their organization, that is a completely different organization.

They have a specific program for military dogs to help protect and recognize their heroic contributions to their country. The work includes bringing retired dogs home to reunite with their handlers, like in Ssg. May’s and Yyacob’s case, and providing veterinary care and financial support to ensure the dogs have the comfortable retirements they deserve.

How Can I Help?

If you’d like to support American Humane in reuniting retired military dogs and their handlers, you can find out more about how to donate here.

Photos supplied by American Humane

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