DES MOINES, Iowa (WHOTV.com) — Friday morning Marine Sgt. Ross Gundlach of Madison, Wisconsin got the surprise of a lifetime.
Sgt. Gundlach thought he was coming to the Iowa State Capitol to plead his case to get his faithful dog, Casey back. Casey served as a bomb detection dog in Afghanistan with Sgt. Gundlach.
Following Casey’s duty in Afghanistan she was adopted by the State Fire Marshal’s Office in November of 2012 from the Department of Defense to serve as an explosive detection canine for the State of Iowa.
Once the Fire Marshall’s Office found out Sgt. Gundlach was trying to adopt Casey they knew they had to return the dog to her rightful owner.
Sgt. Gundlach was surprised at a ceremony with Casey running out to see him.
The two successfully completed 150 combat missions together, and Sgt. Gundlach credits Casey for saving his life and several in his unit.
The Iowa Elks Association donated $8,500 to purchase K-9 Vega, who will replace Casey.
Sgt. Gundlach says he plans to return to Madison with Casey, and will start classes this summer at Madison College.
