Army Dad Surprises Daughter During Brookfield Zoo Visit: VIDEO

BROOKFIELD, IL — What started out as a great day got even better for a young Brookfield Zoo visitor on Thursday. Twelve-year-old Kristi Flury was treated to a surprise reunion with her dad, U.S. Army Reserves Capt. Joshua Flury, who came home early after a nearly yearlong deployment in Kuwait. Kristi's mom, April, contacted the zoo to set up the surprise in June after learning her husband was able to come home a few weeks early to spend time with Kristi before the new school year starts.

During the zoo's "Dolphins in Action" show on Thursday Kristi and her mom were called from the audience to touch one of the dolphins. What she didn't know was that her dad was waiting in the wings to surprise her.

Capt. Joshua Flury spent 10 months in Kuwait as a projects officer. It was his second deployment.

Watch the father and daughter's emotional reunion:

Images via Brookfield Zoo