Former Army Specialist Ken Wyrsch was working at an army post in Iraq in 2016 when he met an unexpected friend. One day while working, he noticed a street dog nearby.
It turned out to be a stray mutt — and a daring one at that. The dog then walked right onto the army post — and that was the end of it.
Ken fell in love with the puppy dog right away, and it didn’t take long for him to win Ken’s and all of the other soldiers’ hearts.
They called the dog Ollie — and Ken raised him as if he was his own.
Ken was pulled to Ollie the instant he stepped onto the base. He just felt that he couldn’t let this dog suffer on the streets any longer.
Ollie was taken under Ken’s wing. He looked after him and fed him well, and it wasn’t long before Ken took over as Ollie’s master. Needless to say, Ollie was overjoyed with his new best friend, whom he had fortunately inherited.
A Loyal Friend
Ollie eagerly anticipated Ken whenever he went on a mission, wagging his tail happily when he saw him return.
Ken described him as a “morale booster.”
“He was there when we left our missions, and he was there when we returned,” Ken told CBS San Francisco.
Ken and Ollie bonded, and as Ollie grew older, they became even closer. Ken made an effort to spend as much time as he could with his best friend.
Sad Separation
But the day came that it was time for Ken to leave. The entire base was being shut down, meaning Ollie would lose his buddies and end up once again on the street. Ken was heartbroken.
He feared that Ollie would not survive the harsh street dog life, especially in a country where attitudes towards street animals were not favorable — and because Ollie was such a gentle and loving dog.
The Only Right Thing
Ken simply couldn’t let that happen.
“You never leave a friend behind,” Ken told KPIX. “Can’t do it.”
When he returned home, he immediately enlisted the help of the SPCA International to see if they could raise the funds needed to get Ollie sent to his home in California.
And it worked! In May 2016, thanks to generous donations, Ollie arrived in the USA.
Watch the video below revealing the moment Ollie and Ken are reunited. Grab a tissue, this is one of the most heartwarming reunion videos you will see today...
Stories like Ken and Ollie’s highlight how crucial international animal rescue programs and reliable pet transportation services have become for soldiers deployed overseas. Many veterans returning home face emotional challenges, and experts say that securing proper pet insurance, medical screenings, and long-term veterinary care is essential when bringing a rescued animal from conflict zones into the United States. Organizations that coordinate global relocations often rely on donations to cover high-cost procedures such as vaccinations, health certificates, and safe travel logistics. Ollie’s journey shows the real impact of supporting credible animal-welfare charities — turning a vulnerable street dog into a loved family companion while also giving a soldier life-changing emotional support.
Share this wonderful story if you agree this soldier has a heart of gold and to wish Ollie the best of luck with his new life in America!
Great story but the military should permit the soldiers to take home these dogs without the need of a non for profit spending all that money to make arrangements to get the dog to the United States.