Move United / Our Athletes /

Tina Lavallee

Picture of Tina Lavallee and her service dog

Tina Lavallee

"Without Move United's support to the veteran organization I started sports with, I don't believe I would have been able to adapt and overcome the way I have." - U.S. Army Signal Corps Veteran Tina Lavallee

Lavallee served 12 years in the Signal Corps before a spinal cord injury left her wheelchair bound. For years following her injury, she spent her days confined to home or VA appointments until 2017, when her daughter-in-law encouraged her to attend the NVSSC. That decision transformed her life.

Since then, Tina has embraced an impressive range of adaptive sports including kayaking, swimming, golf, boccia, bowling, rowing, table tennis, pickleball, curling, sled hockey, cycling, mountain biking, archery, skiing, and shooting. Sports became her pathway back to active living and connecting with fellow veterans.

Even after suffering a stroke in 2022 and further spinal and shoulder injuries in 2025, Tina's determination never wavered. She transitioned to a power wheelchair and began competing in Air Rifle as an SH2 classification athlete. Her competitive excellence earned her three gold medals in sanctioned competitions, with additional gold medal victories at both The Hartford Nationals and the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

Beyond sports, Tina cherishes her family life with her husband, three children, eight grandchildren, and two dogs including her service dog Leonidas. She holds a dog training license and volunteers with Common Sense K9's and Freedom Labradors, training puppies to become service dogs for veterans and first responders as her way of giving back to the community that helped her heal.

Sports

  • Kayaking/Adaptive Kayaking,
  • Swimming,
  • Golf/Adaptive Golf,
  • Boccia,
  • Bowling/Adaptive Bowling,
  • Rowing,
  • Table Tennis,
  • Pickleball,
  • Curling/Wheelchair Curling,
  • Sled Hockey,
  • Cycling/Adaptive Cycling,
  • Mountain Biking/Adaptive Mountain Biking,
  • Archery