Lt. Col. Robert T. Sweginnis reads a citation honoring retired military working dog, Patti during an award ceremony Oct. 24 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The award ceremony honored Patti, who served as a combat tracking dog during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007. Patti served alongside her handler, James Altman, who was a staff sergeant at the time, and was injured in the line of duty. Her injuries left her paralyzed and the two worked together through her six-month rehabilitation period and have been inseparable ever since. Altman permanently adopted Patti in 2008, continuing their partnership even after the mission was complete. Patti received a medal and a citation from the U.S. War Dogs Association, stating, “The United States War Dogs Association presents this award to military canines who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America with honor, courage and loyalty in time of conflict, so that we may live in freedom.”