 Sully in 2018 | |
| Species | Canis lupus familiaris |
|---|---|
| Breed | Labrador |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | (2016-07-14)July 14, 2016 (age 9) |
| Occupation | Service dog |
| Employer | Walter Reed National Military Medical Center |
| Named after | Chesley Sullenberger III |
| www | |
Sully (born July 14, 2016) is aLabrador Retriever employed as aservice dog for disabled military veterans in theUnited States. He served with the formerpresident of the United States,George H. W. Bush, during the last six months of his life, ending withBush's death on November 30, 2018. He received international attention for his role during Bush's state funeral.
Sully was born in 2016; his mother is Roxanne.[1]
Upon leaving his brood, he was trained by the charity America's VetDogs to perform a two-page list of commands, which includes fetching items, answering a telephone, and summoning help in an emergency.[2][3] He was assigned to assist George H. W. Bush in the summer of 2018 through the dog's participation in a veteran service dog program at theWalter Reed National Military Medical Center.[4] According to America's VetDogs, Sully was named after formerU.S. Air Force officer andUS Airways pilotChesley Sullenberger III.[5] Sully received early attention from his own Instagram page covering his life and work with theBush family.[6]
Following the death of President Bush, Sully accompanied the 41st president's remains toWashington, D.C. for thestate funeral.[7] A photo posted toTwitter by Bush spokesman Jim McGrath showing the dog sleeping next to the coffin containing Bush's remains in Texas attracted more than 230,000 likes in two days.[7][8] Sully also visited theCapitol rotunda where Bush waslying in state.[9] According to reports, he was to be returned to an America's VetDogs facility inNew York during theChristmas season before being placed back into rotation in the service animal program at theWalter Reed National Military Medical Center.[2]
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In accordance with President Bush's wishes, as of February 2019, Sully joined theWalter Reed National Military Medical Center's Facility Dog Program inBethesda, Maryland. Following his "Welcome Aboard Ceremony", Sully was given the rank of Hospital Corpsman Second Class (HM2) and has since been promoted to 1st Class (HM1).[10] His trainer, Valerie Cramer, stated that "Sully will visit injured veterans, helping to provide comfort during rehabilitation center sessions and visit with families during what can be an emotional and very difficult time".[11]
A life-size bronze statue of Sully was commissioned by America's VetDogs.[12] The sculpture, created by Susan Bahary, was unveiled on December 2, 2019 for theGeorge Bush Presidential Library and Museum atTexas A&M University.[13][14]
