Meet Marshall & Rooster: The First Veteran-Service Dog Team in the T1SDF Program

At Tier One Service Dog Foundation, every service dog partnership represents resilience, trust, and a new chapter forward. For Marshall and Rooster, their partnership holds an even deeper meaning. They became the very first veteran-service dog team placed through the T1SDF program.

Marshall joined the program in January 2025 and was paired with Rooster, a driven and intelligent Belgian Malinois donated to the program as a young puppy. Born on June 12, 2024, Rooster began his journey early through foster exposure and environmental desensitization to help prepare him for the demands of future psychiatric service dog work. One of those early foster connections would eventually lead him back to Marshall.

Before joining the T1SDF program, Marshall served six years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Donald Cook (DDG-75), completing deployments that included anti-piracy operations off the coast of Mogadishu and multiple missions through the Gulf of Iran and Strait of Hormuz. During those deployments, Marshall experienced firsthand the high-stress environment that comes with operating in some of the world’s most volatile regions.

As a Fire Controlman Petty Officer Second Class (SW), Marshall held a critical role aboard the destroyer, operating and maintaining advanced weapons systems, including the ship’s CIWS defense system designed to intercept incoming threats. In addition to his primary duties, he also served on a VBSS (Vessel Boarding, Search, and Seizure) team and became the ship’s Anti-Terrorism Training Supervisor, responsible for qualifying sailors and preparing crews for operational readiness.

Marshall’s leadership and work ethic quickly earned recognition throughout his command. Ranked as the top E5 aboard the ship for two consecutive years, he built a reputation for discipline, reliability, and commitment under pressure.

After completing his military service in 2013, Marshall transitioned into law enforcement, where he spent eight years continuing to serve his community, including time assigned to a SWAT team.

Today, Marshall and Rooster continue building their partnership through weekly training sessions, group classes, and pack walks hosted by K9s Place, the training facility supporting the T1SDF program. Rooster has already completed his AKC Canine Good Citizen Beginner, Advanced, and Urban certifications and will soon move into Service Dog Handler training before transitioning into advanced task work tailored specifically to Marshall’s needs.

For Marshall, having a Belgian Malinois in his life has created structure, purpose, and connection in a way that is difficult to explain unless you experience it firsthand.

“When you have a Belgian Malinois, you don’t really have time to focus on the things bothering you mentally,” Marshall shared. “The structure, responsibility, and connection that comes with having a service dog has made a huge impact on my daily life and overall mindset.”

As the first veteran-service dog placement in the Tier One Service Dog Foundation program, Marshall and Rooster represent the foundation of what T1SDF hopes to continue building for disabled combat veterans across the country: partnerships rooted in trust, healing, and unwavering support.

To support future veteran-service dog teams like Marshall and Rooster, visit https://t1sdf.org/donate/