Photo: Courtesy America’s VetDogs
George H.W. Bush‘s service dog Sully has returned to the place where his journey started.
Sully was born at the America’s VetDogs campus and went through his first few weeks of training at the facility before completing his basic obedience training throughVetDogs’ prison puppy program.
On Wednesday, many of the people who had a hand in making Sully the loyal service dog he is today, along with dozens of the dog’s fan and supporters, gathered to welcome the Lab back to his birthplace. The crowd included government officials and veterans, all of whom stood to applaud Sully as he entered the event.
“We all felt a tremendous sense of pride in, not only having worked with the president, but all the different veterans and veterans group we work with,” Miller said of his reaction to shot showcasing Sully’s loyalty.
Courtesy America’s VetDogs
The national attention on Sully followingBush’s Nov. 30 deathhas put America’s VetDogs in the spotlight as well, allowing the non-profit to “shine a light on the services available to all veterans.”
Kelli Bender
Having Sully back in her life seems to be bittersweet for Cramer, who has a “long relationship” with the Lab, because she loves being with Sully, but she alsowitnessed the bond Sully shared with the former president.
Cramer was the one who “took the call” from the Bush family when they contacted America’s VetDogs, on Walter Reed Medical Center’s recommendation, about finding a service dog for Bush following thedeath of his wife Barbra. And it was Cramer who dropped Sully off with his new owner in Kennebunkport, Maine, once the canine’s training was complete.
Before Bush died, he made it clear that when he passed away, he wanted Sully to go on to help other veterans. America’s VetDogs has honored this promise. Sully is set to become a facility dog at Walter Reed Medical Center. This transition is scheduled for February 2019.
“In his new role, 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. He will be fulfilling President Bush’s request,” Cramer added.
Until Sully makes his move to Bethesda, Maryland, he will be staying with Cramer in Long Island, New York.
“We’re polishing up some of his training,” Cramer said of Sully’s holiday plans after an eventful month. “I am just giving him time to settle in and relax.”
“One of the tasks that I teach for the dogs at Walter Reed, is that the dogs bowl for people. So I have a little set and we put it on the floor. Maybe there’s a child that has been in the hospital for a long time and hasn’t gotten out of bed for a while, so they can bowl with them,” Cramer said.
“[The dogs] push the bowling ball with their nose and knock the pins down. It’s just interactive and joyful.”
Sully will also learn other new tasks during his winter break, so he will have all the tools he needs to help Walter Reed’s patients come February.
To learn more about Sully’s training and the numerous ways America’s VetDogs helps veterans,visit the non-profit’s website.
source: people.com
