Florida Legionnaire calls his service dog of 11 years his best friend.
National Service Dog Day was 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. Air Force veteran Mark A Ballantine Jr., a member of American Legion Post 252 in Seminole, Fla. He credits Bella with saving his life multiple times.
I met Bella one day when a Marine brother of mine that I was caring for in his crisis offered to bring her downstairs in our veteran community I lived in. As he was bringing her over and I was sitting outside, she saw me and started hopping like a bunny towards me. When she got to me, she just sat down right off my right foot. My brother Jared then offered to let me watch her, and I happily agreed.
We were two peas in a pod, so my brother offered for me to have her, stating his PTSD wouldn't allow him to properly care for her, and that our connection was very obvious. (STORY CONTINUES BELOW)
I have a large family; however, being a veteran, they distanced themselves from me and didn't see the value of my service or sacrifices because I served in the Air Force and became disabled. Bella was all I had in my corner that cared for me (except God, of course). My PTSD caused another end of my marriage with my second wife, and she left me Dec. 20, 2022. I am all about family and my kids, and I couldn't bear the thought of not being allowed to be with my kids again – especially on Christmas – so I made a very rash decision and took a few handfuls of my medications. The whole time Bella was all over me, licking my face and jumping on my stomach as I slipped in and out of consciousness.
Before I knew it, it was the next day and my wife returned home to grab a few things for the kids, so I struggled to remain conscious to tell her what I did because I couldn't bear the thought of having to mourn more of my living children. She just looked at me with disdain and left, so I slipped back into unconsciousness. The next thing I remember, it was Christmas Day and Bella was on my chest with her nose in both paws. I felt very odd because of all the medications I took, but I realized Bella stuck with me the entire time, and I could tell the worry on her mind by the way she was looking at me.
There was a sadness in her eyes that was very apparent, so I broke down again as I realized she was all I had. I was homeless again, but I had to keep going because Bella depended on me to care for her – which I was unable to do prior while unconscious from the medications. So in essence, she was showing she cared and trying to keep me awake, which I firmly believe was one of the couple times she saved my life. She knows when I’m struggling and aways does cute things and licks my face to make me laugh and smile.
We truly don’t deserve dogs, as they are always loyal and deeply caring for us. Now me and Bella have been together for 11 years, and she definitely is my best friend. She helps me daily with my PTSD and chronic pain. She is always by my side or on my lap. She is truly a blessing that I don’t deserve and all I truly have at the end of the day.
- Veterans Healthcare