Your service dog’s impact – in stories and photos

Nearly 30 veterans submitted how their service dog has changed their life. Find all of their submissions here.

In July, The American Legion’s Media & Communication Division put out a request: tell us in your words how your service dog has impacted your life. We wanted to share these stories ahead of, and during, National Service Dog Month in September.

And you responded. In spades.

Over the course of the next two months, members of The American Legion and other veterans sent us their stories and photos – 29 in all – sharing intimate details about how their service dog has changed their life. Those veterans called their service dog their best friend, with some credited the animal for the veteran still being alive.

If you missed any of these heart-warming accounts, we’ve made it easy for you to catch up. Follow the links to read and see every submission we received.

·         Ninzel Rasmuson

·         Stephen Bastien

·         Sallie Dawkins

·         Carl Cieslikowski

·         Kevin Bittenbender

·         Buddy Marshall

·         JC Andrades Cordova

·         Dorthea Pilkons

·         Sharon Hunter

·         Carrie Moore

·         John Brouse

·         Don Pool

·         Toby Yarbrough

·         Mike Chinnock

·         Donnie Taylor

·         Tom Bolinder

·         Aletha Williams

·         William Jones

·         Philip Erven

·         Alyce Clark

·         Brennan Mahoney

·         Anthony Denardo

·         Brian Willard

·         Todd Marral

·         Kurt Kruger

·         Mark Ballantine

·         Kirk Hinote

·         Kevin Ferguson

·         Roland Garza