UPDATED: 1:32 p.m., May 6

By Ryan Carreon and Crystal Valentin

U.S. Army veteran, C.J. Larkin, 30, will cross the stage May 20 at Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s commencement with his best friend, a jack russell mix named Andy.

For the once at-risk youth, it’s been a long road to recovery since retiring from the U.S. Army in 2011 after being severely injured in Iraq. Andy, however, has been there through ups and downs. In 2008, Larkin rescued the puppy from a shelter in California. He started school at A&M-San Antonio with Andy by his side in Spring 2013 and will graduate later this month.

“They told my mom that I was never going to be able to talk, walk or remember who she was again,” Larkin said.

Members of Larkin’s family are very proud that he will graduate with two bachelor’s degrees in Criminology and Sociology.

“It’s kind of a big accomplishment because I’ve had two severe brain injuries, so to even graduate with an associate’s is an achievement,” Larkin said. “To get two bachelor degrees is just beyond.”

Working In The Patriots’ Casa

Larkin was a student worker at the Patriots’ Casa, working primarily at the front desk.

“Larkin is featured in the gallery space. So one of his [leg] prosthetics is actually in the case. I think it’s his first prosthetic,” said Richard Delgado Jr., director of Military Affairs and ROTC U.S. Marine Corps Veterans. “CJ is an amazing vet.”

Andy would often be found sleeping by Larkin’s feet when he worked in the Patriots’ Casa.

“We bought Andy a bed because he was sleeping on the floor,” said Timothy Smith, Military Community Liaison U.S. Army Retired. “We wanted to get him off the floor.”

Working with Larkin in the Veterans Affairs Office of the Patriot’s Casa, the two have gotten to know each other.

“He’s family oriented, very loyal, very responsive and once you get inside his inner circle you’re there for life,” Smith said, “He’s a dedicated family man, that’s him.”

Not only does Larkin work hard at his studies and the Patriots’ Casa but he is a dedicated family man with partner Julie Farmer and their four children. Larkin will celebrate his commencement with his mother Cherie McCartney, aunt Shirley Larkin, girlfriend Julie Farmer and their four kids: Landen, 9; Rilea, 7; James, 2; and one-month-old C.J. Larkin Jr.

Having Andy has been helpful to Larkin’s academic career and personal growth.

“Andy was like my first child, he taught me patience,” Larkin said.

Andy’s Bootcamp

In 2011, Larkin enrolled Andy for service dog training in the Train A Dog, Save A Warrior (TADSAW) program. TADSAW is a non-profit organization whose mission is to unite wounded warriors with rescue dogs to undergo service dog training, with more than 40 applications per month.

“Since I had Andy trained so well, it was really easy training for him to become a service dog,” Larkin said.

Boot camp lasts three to five months at no cost to the wounded warrior thanks to donations and fundraising efforts. The approximate cost of sponsoring one service dog team is $2,500 for supplies, grooming, and training.

Andy’s training is tailored to Larkin’s needs, such as reminding Larkin to take his medication, making sure people don’t walk up behind him, and waking him up from nightmares.

“If I don’t take my medicine, Andy won’t want to leave the house at all,” Larkin said. “And I’m like, ‘Whatever dude, fine.’” Larkin described how he would leave the house, and then “later on, when I come back I realize I forgot to take my damn medicine.”

Larkin’s bond with Andy doesn’t stop there. After the dog underwent surgery for a torn ACL, Larkin was able to return the favor. He’s currently caring for Andy, adding that if need be, he will carry Andy across the stage with him, which of course Andy wouldn’t mind at all.

Eyes on graduation

Two days prior to graduation Larkin and Andy will take part in the Patriot Cord Ceremony to receive the red, white and blue cords Larkin will wear during graduation.

“This is an A&M-San Antonio tradition that honors our students who have served in our Armed Forces,” Smith said. “Their solid foundation for success will inspire them to become lifelong learners and responsible global citizens.”

Upon graduating with a two bachelor degrees, Larkin hopes to attend graduate school in the future to pursue a master’s degree in social work.

“I want to work with at-risk youth because I used to be one,” Larkin said. “I think a lot of it has to do with seeing a lot of military men and women that want to help when they get out… I still want to do something along the lines of what I used to do.”