Sully Not To Retire: George HW Bush's Service Dog Will Continue On To Help Wounded Veterans

Dec 07, 2018

As the world prepares to honor the life and legacy of President George H.W. Bush, one of the president’s most special friends is also preparing to say goodbye. Sully, President Bush’s service dog, has been with Bush through thick and thin. A constant and loving companion, Sully helped the former president through the dark days following the loss of his wife Barbara. 

Trained by a group known as America’s VetDogs, Sully became an instant social media star following his assignment with President Bush. Referring to Bush as his “boss,” Sully’s Instagram feed is full of photographs of the adventures the sweet yellow lab had with the former president.

Sully’s leash clasped firmly in President Bush’s aging hand, a photo of the two going for a walk on the Fourth of July was liked nearly 20,000 times.

Sully once again sparked national attention after the Bush family posted a picture of the grieving dog sitting beside the president’s coffin, visibly saddened by his loss. With Bush’s passing, many social media users became worried about Sully, wondering what will happen next for the bright pup.

Those worried about Sully’s fate can rest easy. The playful yellow lab will continue doing good and making lives better with America’s VetDogs. Responding to the concerns expressed by the public, the organization took to Facebook to tell the world of Sully’s next assignment.

Sully will be assisting physical and occupational therapists at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Sully will be part of a special team at Walter Reed that includes fellow VetDogs SGT Dillon and SGT Truman.

The three service dogs will be instrumental to the program, helping our nation’s wounded recover from the physical and psychological trauma of war. John Miller, president of America’s VetDogs, thanked the Bush family for the opportunity to help the former president.

Speaking with ABC News, Miller expressed his deepest condolences to the family. Pointing out the positive contributions Bush made to the country, Miller said disabled people throughout the United States hold a special place in their hearts for the 41st president. While in office, Bush made the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act one of his top priorities.

As Sully’s story goes viral, millions of people want to know more about America’s VetDogs. According to the group’s Facebook page, America’s VetDogs was founded in 2003. The organization was formed after the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind saw that veterans of the War on Terror faced much more difficult challenges than ordinary disabled people.

America’s VetDogs helps these disabled veterans by providing dogs with unique training that enables them to make life easier for those who have borne so much trauma and pain to preserve our way of life.

Among the service dogs trained by the organization are specialized animals who help amputees, blinded veterans, and veterans suffering both the physical and mental scars of war.

The organization also trains dogs to help with the stresses faced by soldiers deployed overseas. Subsidized entirely by charitable contributions, veterans in need receive the benefits of these service animals free of charge.

Check out a video of Sully right here:

What do you think of Sully’s next assignment? Do you or anyone you know have a service animal? Tell us in the comments and pass this heartwarming story on to friends and loved ones who might need a little love in their life right now.