Sully the service dog continues to work after loss of George H.W. Bush

Sully, former President George H.W. Bush’s service dog, proved that a dog is indeed a man’s best friend. After Bush passed away on November 30 at the age of 94, Sully rested next to his owner’s casket, remaining by his side until the very end. The loyal yellow Labrador captured many hearts as he accompanied the late Bush during his funeral services in Houston and Washington D.C.

Living up to his namesake, heroic airline pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the beloved canine will continue helping other people as a service dog. After the holiday season, Sully will move to Walter Reed National Military Center in Bethesda to assist in rehabilitating wounded soldiers through the center’s Facility Dog Program. He will help injured service members cope with their pain in physical and occupational therapy.

The Bush family is looking forward to Sully’s new post. “As much as our family is going to miss this dog, we’re comforted to know he’ll bring the same joy to his new home, Walter Reed, that he brought to 41,” former President George W. Bush said, referring to his late father who was the 41th President.

Sully was trained by America’s VetDogs, an organization based in New York that provides veterans and first responders with service dogs, free of charge. The yellow Lab was matched with Bush to help him with his daily tasks, including retrieving items and answering the phone.

The former president suffered from vascular parkinsonism, a form a Parkinson’s disease that confined him to a wheelchair. He had been hospitalized multiple times for a range of medical conditions, including a blood infection and low blood pressure, while also grieving the loss of his wife, Barbara, who passed away this April.

Sully began working for Bush in June. The former president was delighted upon bringing Sully to his Houston home. “A great joy to welcome home the newest member of our family, ‘Sully,’ a beautiful—and beautifully trained—lab from America’s VetDogs,” Bush said.

Like many of the other dogs the program provides, Sully was trained through the VetDogs Prison Puppy Program, in which inmate handlers help to train young puppies in housebreaking, obedience and standardized commands. Sully is highly skilled in dozens of tasks, which he will bring to patients at Walter Reed.

Sully loyally served his owner for sixth months until Bush’s death last month. As he joins facility dogs Sgt. Dillon and Sgt. Truman at Walter Reed in January, Sully will take on a new role and continue Bush’s legacy of heroism, selflessness and service.

Article by MoCo Student staff writer Anna Chen of Richard Montgomery High School