American military dog recovers in hospital after Afghanistan bomb blast
- Published
A photo of a US military dog which was injured in a bomb blast has been shared thousands of times on Facebook.
Rocky was with handler, Specialist Andrew Brown, in Afghanistan when they were caught by an IED.
The pair were flown to a hospital in Germany where they were recovering before SPC Brown was airlifted back to Walter Reed Army Medical Centre.
A purple heart, handed out to US Armed Forces wounded or killed while serving, was laid on him as a mark of respect.
The photo of Rocky has been shared nearly 130,000 times so far on Facebook
The pair were investigating explosive materials in Helmand Province when the improvised device went off.
Rocky was hit with shrapnel and had his leg broken.
SPC Brown is being treated for "non-life threatening injuries" and will also have a series of tests for traumatic brain injury, a routine investigation after US soldiers have been injured in bomb blasts.
A statement on Facebook said: "SPC Brown and Rocky are both doing well after being treated for injuries they suffered from an IED blast earlier this week while searching a structure in support of ongoing operations in Afghanistan.
"They are both very thankful for your thoughts and prayers and are in the process of heading back home."
Rocky will spend several more weeks in Germany while he recovers before being flown to Fort Hood in Texas.
"The Army typically does not process awards for our working dogs the same way we do for our other soldiers," said the brigade's public affairs officer Sgt. 1st Class Michael Garrett via an email which was published in the Killeen Daily Herald, external, based near Fort Hood.
"The Purple Heart in the photo was placed on Rocky as a sign of respect and solidarity between him and Brown during their recovery."
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