Marine Corps veteran on how his life with Chambo has given him purpose and confidence.
National Service Dog Day falls on Sept. 20 and is designed to honor the role of service dogs in the lives of people with disabilities and America's veterans. The day was designated by Congress in 2023 and is part of September’s National Service Dog Month.
We asked you to share how your service dog has impacted your life, so we can share your story with others. We will continue to publish those stories throughout September.
Submit your own story and photo on www.legiontown.org in the “Why I Love My Service Animal” section.
Our latest in the series is from U.S. Marine Corps veteran JC Andrades Cordova, who shares how Chambo showed him everything he’d been missing before the two were paired.
I spent many years trying to convince myself that I was not someone who needed a service dog. As a veteran, I knew there were others who had been through worse, who had injuries or challenges that seemed more visible than mine. I often found myself thinking that someone else deserved that support more than I did.
That mindset made it difficult to recognize that my own struggles were valid. I had spent my life being the person who pushed through challenges, adapted, and kept moving forward. As a Marine, I was trained to take care of the mission and the people around me. Asking for help felt like admitting I could no longer do that on my own.
The reality was that life after service brought challenges that were not always visible to others. Pain, anxiety, and the daily adjustments that come with service-connected disabilities affected my confidence, independence, and ability to fully engage in the life I wanted to live with family, with my wife and with my kids. I learned how to adapt, but I did not realize how much I was missing out on life.
Then came Chambo ...
From the moment we were paired together, he became more than just a service dog. He became my partner. He brought back something I missed from my military days, having a teammate beside me, someone who was always part of the mission.
Chambo has helped me rebuild routines, get out into the community, and approach situations with more confidence. Whether it is walking into a store, traveling, or simply starting my day, having him with me provides a sense of calm and reassurance. He keeps me focused on the present and reminds me to keep moving forward.
One of the biggest changes has been realizing that needing support does not make me less capable. Chambo has not taken away my independence; he has helped restore it. He has given me the confidence to do more, experience more and reconnect with the world around me.
Through Chambo, I have also found a renewed connection with other veterans. The journey of becoming a service dog team has introduced me to a community of people who understand the challenges of life after service and the importance of having support.
The two weeks of training with America’s VetDogs were an incredible and life-changing experience, but bringing Chambo home is where the real journey began. We are still learning from each other every day, but the bond we have built is something I never expected. He is not just a service dog, he is my teammate, my companion, and a reminder that there is always another mission ahead.
My life before Chambo was about enduring and convincing myself that I could handle everything alone. My life with Chambo is about moving forward with purpose, confidence, and a battle buddy by my side.
- Veterans Healthcare