When Peter Tong crossed the stage at Polk State College, Ren was right there with him.

Tong, a U.S. Army veteran, enlisted in 2009 and served in the 112th Signal Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as a 25 Bravo, an information technology specialist. In 2012, a hip injury ended his military career and sent him home to work out what came next.

Years later, Tong returned to school while dealing with mobility challenges, anxiety and depression.

“I was working with a therapist and he told me, ‘Hey, a service dog would do you some good,'” Tong said.

When Tong met Ren, he said he immediately felt how important she would become in his life.

“The first time I laid eyes on Ren, it was really emotional because I was like, ‘Holy crap, it’s actually happening. It’s here, she’s here,’” he said.

Tong said Ren stayed by his side through late nights and long semesters.

“If she is working, everything could just be burning down around us and she’s like, ‘I’m working for dad,’” Tong said.

He said Ren could read his emotions and step in when he was struggling.

“If I start crying or if I’m having a tough day and I sit down and put my head down, she scoops under me and makes me sit up,” Tong said. “She’s like, ‘We’re not doing this. You’re not going to be sad. You’re going to be happy. You have no choice.’”

Tong said bringing Ren onto the graduation stage was his way of thanking her, and it helped him get through a moment he had struggled with.

“I really wrestled with going to graduation,” Tong said. “I was like, ‘Do I really want to go? Do I really want to walk across the stage?’”

He said Ren gave him the comfort he needed to celebrate his degree in front of a crowd.

“Having Ren on the stage with me was that extra layer of comfort,” Tong said. “Just having her next to me, walking beside me.”

Tong also had a message for other veterans.

“You’re not alone. There is help. There are resources. Utilize your resources and get the help you need.”

Read more from USA Today.