From Seabee to Service Dog: The Journey of MonCheri Charron

MonCheri, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and currently stationed in Gulfport, Mississippi, enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17. Coming from a family that faced tremendous challenges—her mother juggling college, two jobs, and homelessness—MonCheri knew she needed to chart a new path for herself. “Sometimes you have to do what you have to do,” she recalls about walking into a recruiter’s office in 2007, a decision that would change her life.

Her first role as a Seabee (a construction battalion member in the Navy) involved physically demanding work as a plumber and HVAC technician. She spent five years at her first duty station in Gulfport, Mississippi, before moving on to Virginia Beach, and then spending time in Japan. Her deployments took her to Iraq, Afghanistan, Guam, Romania, Spain, Singapore, South Korea, and other locations, where she served in various humanitarian missions. A Seabee's work is both physically and mentally demanding, but it also fostered a sense of camaraderie and connection that MonCheri cherished. After 12 years in this role, however, she yearned for a more mentally challenging position. She transitioned into the role of a Navy counselor—a career that allowed her to take on leadership and developmental roles within her unit.

As a Navy counselor, MonCheri had to balance many hats, managing career development, ensuring sailors met their milestones, and addressing issues like equal opportunity and chain of command. “It was a challenging yet fulfilling role,” she says, “but after all the hard work, I eventually received my promotion to Chief Petty Officer.”

Though MonCheri excelled in her military career, her service came with deeply personal struggles. It wasn’t until her assignment back to Gulfport, Mississippi, that she sought mental health support. At that time, MonCheri was given the option of taking medication to cope with her struggles. But, knowing that she wanted to find a better solution, she began to look into service dogs for support. Her husband, also a Navy service member, was deployed at the time, and she faced many struggles on her own. “I was afraid to go outside after dark, and I didn’t want to rely on medication. I knew I needed help that would empower me to take control,” MonCheri says. 

It was during this period of seeking a better alternative that MonCheri found America’s VetDogs. After researching service dog organizations, she stumbled upon their website. “I fell down a rabbit hole,” she jokes. The wealth of information on their site pulled her in, and in 2023, she applied to receive a service dog. She didn’t want to wait for a year to be matched with a dog, but America’s VetDogs provided her with the opportunity to have a life-changing partner sooner than expected.

When MonCheri first met her service dog, a lab named *Happy*, it was a surreal experience. “I wasn’t sure at first. I’d never had a lab before,” MonCheri admits. But as soon as Happy entered the room, the bond formed instantly. Happy approached her with calm assurance, and MonCheri began singing “You Are My Sunshine” to her, a song that became a nightly ritual. 

Having Happy has made a profound difference in MonCheri’s life. The service dog helps with several tasks, such as alerting her to people calling her name, notifying her of the phone ringing or the doorbell, and providing space for personal comfort. Happy also assists in interrupting nightmares and provides an essential sense of security. “She’s my lifeline,” MonCheri reflects. 

Since having Happy, MonCheri has become more mobile, venturing out of the house more than ever before. She’s also experienced greater emotional stability, feeling more at ease and confident. Even her husband, who was initially skeptical about the need for a service dog, noticed the positive changes in MonCheri’s mental health and began seeking support for his own struggles. “Happy has been an example to us all,” MonCheri says. “It’s OK to not be OK, and we can work through it together.”

MonCheri’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. As a visible leader in the Navy, she was initially concerned about the perception of having a service dog while still on active duty. But her commanding officers were supportive, and she found herself educating others about the possibility of having a service dog while serving. MonCheri and Happy have been instrumental in helping senior personnel understand the value of having a service dog while staying on active duty. “There’s still a lot of education to be done, but we’re making progress,” she says.

She’s also been involved in helping the Navy create a new program to allow sailors with service dogs to continue active duty. MonCheri speaks at symposiums, shares her experience with others, and even provides pamphlets to those who are interested in learning more. “It’s about changing the mindset and normalizing it,” she explains. 

MonCheri is looking ahead to a new chapter in her military career. In September, she will be formally pinned as a Chief Petty Officer, marking the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. But this time, there’s a new member of the family to share in the ceremony. Happy will accompany MonCheri during the pinning event, symbolizing the support and companionship that have helped her through the most challenging times of her life. 

MonCheri's story is one of resilience, courage, and the incredible bond between a veteran and her service dog. Together, they navigate life’s obstacles, and with Happy by her side, MonCheri knows she’s ready to continue making a difference—both for herself and for those she serves.