Adam Ricci, chief of field operations at the city’s Animal Welfare Department, told CNN it’s standard practice for dogs to end up in their care in situations like this.

But this one was a little different.

A palliative care social worker called and told Ricci that Vincent didn’t have much time left — maybe just a few days. And he had just one dying wish.

“It was an immediate ‘yes’ from us,” Ricci said. “So, we worked with the VA to get things organized.”