TAMPA, Fla. — If you Google 'strong', Andres Rodriguez's photo may as well pop-up.
"I kind of lost count at five,” said Retired Master Sergeant Andres Rodriguez.
That’s multiple deployments as a U.S. Air Force chemical and biological weapons expert.
"If I turn the light on too early in the morning, she actually covers her face with her paw so, there is that,” he said with a laugh.
So when you see the U.S. Air Force veteran’s service dog, you kind of do a double take.
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"People will see me and then, oh, okay, we're not going to say anything with this dude,” said Rodriguez.
Three-year-old ‘Sandy’ is a golden doodle. She's also a mellow teddy bear.
And Rodriguez says she's the opposite of him.
"If I have nightmares or what not, she kind of like wakes me up. How does she know that? I have no idea, but she reacts to that and then she kind of climbs up and gets in bed with me and makes sure my breathing goes back to a normal stage,” explains Rodriguez.
Sandy is one of several service dogs who've traveled with their athletes to the Warrior Games — wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans competing in events like wheelchair rugby, para-power weightlifting and swimming.
"I guess the biggest thing would be that not all wounds are visible. A lot of people have invisible wounds too,” said Retired Senior Airman John Berry, IV.
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These working dogs bring that into perspective.
"I've been able to help my family out more because when I get depressed and get episodes and stuff, I like to tune everything out and I isolate myself. With him, he's been helping me pick out those times,” said Berry.
Sometimes strong also requires some softness.
"She's fluffy,” said Rodriguez.
Most people would agree all dogs are therapy dogs.
Some are just on the clock.
"I have a really good one that says, 'I'm cute. I'm working. Do not pet’,” said Rodriguez.
