For the love of dogs, flying and the military, a 65-year-old United Airlines flight attendant has made it her personal mission to reunite soldiers with their former K9 teammates.

Molli Oliver lives in Los Angeles, but when she has a reconciliation project at hand, she can be found anywhere in the United States, including Texas, transporting retired military dogs to their new homes and in the arms of old friends.

RELATED: Facebook mockery of West Side family motivates San Antonio man to donate pools to dozens of kids

"It's a way to say 'thank you,'" she told mySA.com on Thursday, adding that her latest reunion last week in El Paso was a "dream trip" when she joined 26-year-old Army staff sergeant Derrek Green with Zeva, a dog he hadn't seen in 2 years.

Oliver said her passion began last year while working on a military charter. She met Marine Sgt. Andrew Mulherron, who told her he had been tracking Boone, the black Labrador retriever he was deployed with in Afghanistan in 2010. He said he was hoping to become Boone's owner once the dog was retired.

RELATED: Last known 9/11 search dog euthanized in Houston area

A light bulb lit up in Oliver's head and she decided to help by coordinating a way to pick up Boone from Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, then transport him to San Francisco to meet up with Mulherron. She made sure the flight was comfortable for Boone and bought the animal its own seat with her own funds.

Even four years apart, Boone recognized and started protecting Mulherron as soon as they saw each other, Oliver said.

"They're so bonded with these dogs, there's always that extra special connection," she said. "We've always hit it right on the mark and we know we've found the right one."

RELATED: Dog left for dead during Texas floods saved by Fort Bend rescue crews

As word about her work has spread, Oliver said bases have been contacting her for help and has now reunited a total of five military personnel with their four-legged teammates.

Oliver said the next step is finalizing paperwork and a website for her non-profit organization, MUMS DOGS. Until then, she is happy working extra flights to fund her 3-day transport trips and is carrying out her mission "one dog at a time."

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye