NEPTUNE CITY, N.J. — A retired military working dog, an eight-year-old Belgian Malinois named Erika, has been successfully reunited with her former handler, Staff Sgt. Tara of the U.S. Air Force, thanks to a sponsorship from pet brand Nylabone.
The reunion took place in Texas in September, marking the end of Erika’s seven years of distinguished service and the beginning of a peaceful retirement.
Erika served as a military working dog trained in suspect apprehension and detection. She spent nearly two years alongside SSgt. Tara at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, and the pair also deployed overseas, including tours in Kuwait and Vietnam.
Nylabone, an iconic brand in the Central Garden & Pet portfolio, partnered with the American Humane Society to cover the cost of transporting Erika across the country after her official retirement in the summer of 2025. Nylabone’s commitment extends beyond the travel expenses; the company will also help cover Erika’s veterinary care for the remainder of her life.
“Erika and Staff Sergeant Tara share an incredible bond, and we are honored to help bring them back together,” said Glen S. Axelrod, President and CEO of Nylabone Products. “We are grateful for Staff Sergeant Tara’s service and are thrilled Erika will now spend her retirement in the loving forever home she deserv1es.”
Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of the American Humane Society, emphasized the importance of the reunion for the courageous canine.
“American Humane Society is honored to help give this courageous canine the comfortable retirement she deserves after seven years of distinguished service to our country,” Ganzert said.
The reunification is part of Nylabone’s ongoing efforts through its Nylabone Cares™ program to support military working dogs and their handlers, including partnerships with the American Humane Society’s Pups4Patriots™ program. Erika and SSgt. Tara now embark on a new chapter, replacing deployments with days of companionship and rest.