BUFFALO, N.Y. — Marine Corps veteran James Kozma was still in shock Monday after the Buffalo Bills surprised him with a service dog.

"They got him from a kill shelter. So, I saved him, he saves me from things I have to deal with on a daily basis,” said Kozma.

The Alden native retired in 2014 after 21 years of service, and has been waiting for a service dog ever since.

He was originally told he would be honored in the end zone at Sunday's game for Veterans Day.

But he had no idea he'd be leaving with his new pup, Rebel.

"I've always been a fan of pit bulls because they're very misunderstood, much like veterans are in a lot of ways,” said Kozma.

The Bills worked with nonprofit Paws of War and the Veteran Center in Buffalo to find Kozma's dog.

He's now working with a local expert to get Rebel fully-trained.