TAMPA, Fla. — An Air Force veteran competing in the Warrior Games this week says he would not be able to function in his everyday life, much less compete at a high level, if not for his hero, who sits in the stands watching his every move: his service dog, Sandy.
- Andres Rodriguez competing in wheelchair basketball
- Rodriguez credits bond with service dog for helping him deal with anger issues
- More Warrior Games stories
For the athletes competing in wheelchair basketball, every made basket represents a hurdle these men and women have overcome, including the ones that took away their ability to run up and down a basketball court on their own two feet.
“It is so much more challenging than able-bodied basketball because the hoop is still the same height,” said Andres Rodriguez, an Air Force veteran, who is among this year's wheelchair basketball competitors.
For Rodriguez, many of his personal hurdles stemmed from his service time.
He joined in 1999, but after thousands of people were killed in the 9/11 attacks, he said he began to feel more and more angry.
He carried that feeling through all of his service and home with him when he retired.
“Sadly, it was easier for me to just take my anger out on the people that are closest to me, that are trying to help me,” said Rodriguez.
He says he found an outlet in adaptive sports, leading him here to this year’s Warrior Games.
And as he keeps his eyes on the prize, over in the stands his biggest fan is keeping her eyes on him.
“I never thought a dog would be able to help me, to actually make sure that I’m okay,” said Rodriguez.
Sandy started out as a pet, but instantly formed an inseparable bond with Rodriguez.
And she doesn’t put up with that anger, either.
“She will just look at me and come around and put her face on my leg and I forget about everything,” he said.
She’s now trained as a certified service dog, and as we regard Rodriguez and other service members and veterans as our heroes, he just has to look by his side to see his.
“She means everything to me,” he said.
