Sully (born July 14, 2016) is a Labrador Retriever employed as a service dog for disabled military veterans in the United States. He served with the former president of the United States, George H. W. Bush, during the last six months of his life, ending with Bush's death on November 30, 2018. He received international attention for his role during Bush's state funeral.
 Sully in 2018 | |
| Species | Canis lupus familiaris |
|---|---|
| Breed | Labrador |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | July 14, 2016 |
| Occupation | Service dog |
| Employer | Walter Reed National Military Medical Center |
| Named after | Chesley Sullenberger III |
| www | |
Early life and training
editSully 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 the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.[4] According to America's VetDogs, Sully was named after former U.S. Air Force officer and US Airways pilot Chesley Sullenberger III.[5] Sully received early attention from his own Instagram page covering his life and work with the Bush family.[6]
Death of George H. W. Bush
editFollowing the death of President Bush, Sully accompanied the 41st president's remains to Washington, D.C. for the state funeral.[7] A photo posted to Twitter 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 the Capitol rotunda where Bush was lying in state.[9] According to reports, he was to be returned to an America's VetDogs facility in New York during the Christmas season before being placed back into rotation in the service animal program at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.[2]
Subsequent service
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In accordance with President Bush's wishes, as of February 2019, Sully joined the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's Facility Dog Program in Bethesda, 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]
Statue
editA life-size bronze statue of Sully was commissioned by America's VetDogs.[12] The sculpture, created by Susan Bahary, was unveiled on 2 December, 2019 for the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University.[13][14]
See also
editReferences
edit
- ^ "Happy Mother's Day". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ^ a b "George H.W. Bush's service dog Sully lays by his casket in Houston". CBS News. Associated Press. December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ O'Connor, Austin. "President George H.W. Bush Gets a Service Dog". aarp.org. AARP. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ "Former President Bush gets a service dog named 'Sully'". Boston Herald. December 3, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
- ^ "America's VetDogs Provides President George H.W. Bush With Service Dog Sully". vetdogs.org. America's VetDogs. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ Martinez, Matthew (December 3, 2018). "What's next for Sully, Bush's service dog lying loyally beside his casket? Helping vets". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ a b "George HW Bush's service dog Sully will travel with his late owner ahead of state funeral". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
- ^ "George HW Bush's service dog Sully pays touching last tribute". BBC News. 3 December 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ "Sully the service dog visits casket of George H. W. Bush". Sky News. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
- ^ "Sully H.W. Bush (@sullyhwbush)". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
- ^ Bender, Kelli (February 27, 2019). "George H. W. Bush's Service Dog Sully Joins Military Hospital to Help Veterans After Bush's Death". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ "Service organization commissions statue of Bush's dog". AP NEWS. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ "Statue Of George H.W. Bush's Service Dog Coming To Bush Library". Texas A&M Today. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ Angeline Jane Bernabe; Will Linendoll. "Statue commemorates President George H.W. Bush's service dog, Sully". Good Morning America. Retrieved 19 December 2019.