A Marine and his dog

Since leaving active duty to take classes at the University of Wisconsin, Ross Gundlach has been trying to get permission to adopt the dog he befriended as a dog handler in Afghanistan.

The dog, Casey, finished her military career and was given to the Iowa State Fire Marshall’s office to be used to detect explosives.

When Gundlach arrived at the Capitol in Des Moines today to plead his case, he got the dog.

“It’s unbelievable … the state of Iowa, I love ’em,” the Marine’s father told the Des Moines Register.