We never know what will define us in life.
Often those moments catch us off guard, unawares and oftentimes can be what seems the worst thing that will happen to us. But, for some, those moments give us a new push, a new drive.
For one Army veteran, her story is one of triumph over adversity.
Christy Gardner was stationed “overseas in hazard zones” on a peacekeeping mission in July 2006 when “we were on foot patrol and got attacked by locals,” she said.
“I had a spinal cord injury, some organ damage, some trauma to my legs, trauma to my arms, face, head, all of that,” Gardner said. “I ended up with two skull fractures and some facial fractures, a broken jaw. I ended up losing two fingers and both legs.”
Moxie sits with Christy Gardner after her hockey game. Photo courtesy of Eileen Doyon
She knew at the time of the attack that she was hurt badly.
“When I hit the ground, I pushed my jaw up through the base of my skull on this side. So, I damaged the front and side of my brain,” Gardner recalled.
To come out and have them say, ‘You’ll never be physically capable of taking care of yourself’ — that was horrible. I was depressed.”
Despite the devastating prognosis, Gardner refused to accept defeat. She endured a long and challenging recovery process. But it was her golden retriever, Moxie, who became her saving grace during those dark times.
“I was so restricted in what I was allowed to do. I was so lonely,” Gardner confessed, highlighting the difficulties she faced during her recovery.
Moxie, her loyal service dog, became not only her mobility assistance but also her emotional support. The bond they shared was profound, inspiring Gardner to take charge of her life once again.
“She got me back into life and wanting to live. She motivated me to get up and move,” Gardner said gratefully. “I didn’t want to give up, because I didn’t want to fail her. I didn’t want her to feel like she couldn’t do her job. I didn’t want to worry about what happened to her after I was gone. She really kept me going.”
Moxie greets Christy Gardner after her hockey game. Photo courtesy of Eileen Doyon
As Gardner regained her independence, she realized the immense potential of service dogs in helping other veterans lead fulfilling lives. With a newfound purpose, she founded Mission Working Dogs, a non-profit organization dedicated to training and providing service dogs to disabled veterans.
“I saw what Moxie did for me. She was absolutely incredible,” Gardner shared, her voice filled with conviction.
To be able to help other veterans, give them back their independence, and change their lives for the better has been an incredible journey.”
Mission Working Dogs quickly grew, and Gardner’s efforts garnered remarkable results. The program matched veterans with service dogs tailored to their unique needs, whether it was PTSD support or mobility assistance. Seeing the impact of these trained companions brought immense satisfaction to Gardner.
“With our first graduating class, two of the veterans said that if it wasn’t for their dogs, they wouldn’t have made it through the pandemic,” Gardner said with pride. “Just knowing that we made a difference and basically saved their lives is enough.”
As Gardner continued her mission, she excelled in various sports, demonstrating that her disabilities were no barriers to her dreams. She played on the U.S. women’s sled hockey team and represented the Paralympics team in para-ice hockey for over a decade.
“I used to run a 5K every weekend, just because they said I couldn’t,” Gardner quipped, emphasizing her determination to prove the naysayers wrong.
Her remarkable journey not only inspired her fellow veterans but also caught the attention of author Eileen Doyon, who captured Gardner’s story in children’s books, further raising awareness and support for Mission Working Dogs.
“Christy is so inspirational,” Doyon remarked. “She does for other disabled people to help them and to show them what they can do and what they can be. She’s always helping out other disabled vets to let them know that life can be better, life can be good — and for them not to give up on their dreams.”
Watch below for a look at this amazing American!
