Four paws, one mission: Smoky and Chris Espinoza find new ways to serve

When Smoky joined USAA in April as K9 Ambassador and Chief Pawsitivity Officer, the title was intentionally playful. Her purpose was not.

As a certified therapy dog, Smoky’s role centers on service, connection and well-being. Her work begins with USAA teammates and extends to the military community USAA has served for more than a century.

Through her Paws on the Road tour, Smoky is expected to directly engage more than 15,000 teammates this year. An organic employee Slack channel has carried that connection beyond her scheduled visits, giving teammates across USAA a place to share photos, stories and their enthusiasm for her.

That enthusiasm will be on display Oct. 27, when Smoky turns 2. Teammates will mark the occasion with celebrations on USAA campuses, turning her birthday into an Association-wide moment of connection.

Smoky also takes her work beyond USAA’s campuses. She has visited military installations, Honor Flights and the Warrior Games, spending time with service members, veterans and their families.

A journey built around service

Smoky’s path to USAA began long before she had an executive title.

She was fostered as a puppy in Charlotte by John Muller, a USAA attorney and Project2Heal volunteer. Her early development there helped prepare her for a life of service. She later continued her training journey through K9s For Warriors before eventually returning to the USAA family in an unexpected new role.

Her name carries a history of its own. Smoky is named for the Yorkshire Terrier remembered for comforting wounded service members during World War II and widely associated with the early history of therapy dogs.

Today’s Smoky carries that legacy forward with Chris Espinoza, her handler and partner in the work.

An Air Force veteran, Reservist and former Military Working Dog handler, Chris has worked alongside dogs trained to detect danger, patrol and protect. Smoky has a very different assignment: draw people in. Where a military working dog’s job requires vigilance and distance, Smoky’s depends on interaction, whether that means offering comfort, creating a natural opening for conversation or simply giving someone a reason to stop for a moment.

For Chris, the work is different, but the partnership behind it is familiar. It is a continuation of service in a different form.

"My experience as a military working dog handler taught me just how powerful the bond between people and dogs can be," said Chris Espinoza. "Military working dogs are trained to detect and protect, and I was fortunate to serve alongside some incredible dogs during my time in uniform. Smoky's role is very different. She has a way of bringing people together and making them feel comfortable. I've seen people open up, smile, and connect in ways they might not have otherwise. Working alongside her has shown me another side of that partnership and given me a meaningful way to continue serving others."

Showing up when it matters

Together, Smoky and Chris have stepped into moments of celebration, service and remembrance.

On Sept. 11, Smoky served at the National September 11 Memorial in New York, spending time with family members, survivors, first responders and others gathered to mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks.

Among the meaningful places along their journey is The National Military Monument on the National Mall. Created by USAA to honor generations of military service and sacrifice, it is a fitting setting for Smoky and Chris to serve visitors and connect with the community at the heart of their mission. They will return Nov. 11 for USAA’s Veterans Day ceremony, joining dignitaries, veterans, military families and others as the nation comes together to remember and honor those who have served.

Smoky and Chris are also showing that service does not always look the same over a lifetime. Sometimes it means wearing the uniform. Sometimes it means standing beside those who do. And sometimes it looks like a dog creating space for someone to stop, connect and feel a little more supported.