I ran into this very inspirational story late last night – I see loads of service dog stories every day, but this is one of those great ones that epitomizes the whole concept.
Edgar Jimenez is a 22-year-old young man graduating from the University of Texas Cockrell School of Engineering today along with his Canine Companions for Independence Service Dog Rowdy III. You won’t see CCI mentioned anywhere in the story, but eagle-eyed observers will spot the CCI patch on Rowdy’s cape.
Quite a story of how Edgar’s family emigrated to Texas from Costa Rica when he was very young to give him the best opportunity for living with the muscular dystrophy he was born with, and how Edgar has clearly made the most of that opportunity. Please go read it for yourself:

“Defined by his successes, not his limitations”
I spent a lotta time in Texas, my wife’s from there, we have family there about 70 miles from Austin, and I know other CCI graduates and volunteers there as well, but I’ve never met Edgar or heard his fantastic story before. All of those factors make this story mean even more to me than it would, anyway.
Congratulations, Edgar – and Rowdy!






I'm very active with Canine Companions for Independence as a volunteer, to include being a past member of the Veterans Task Force and puppy raiser. Retired US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with my last assignments at the Air Force Academy as the Fourth Group Sergeant Major and Dean of Faculty Superintendent.