Navy photograph by PO3 Julio MartinezCapt. Mark Kobelja, left, director of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, appoints Sully H.W. Bush to the honorary rank of Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class during his welcome aboard ceremony at the USO Warrior and Family Center, Feb. 27, 2019.
Sully, late President George H.W. Bush’s service dog, embarked on a new job as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy as the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center welcomed him.
At the welcome aboard ceremony Feb. 27 at the United Service Organization Warrior and Family Center at Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Md., Sully had a personalized oath of enlistment.
“Sully H.W. Bush, do you affirm, or pant, as a hospital corpsman in the United States Navy that you will support, comfort and cheer our warriors and their families, active duty and retired?”
He was asked to provide “unconditional love and solace, especially on busy days,” and acknowledge that the responsibility came “without any promise of treats or tummy rubs.”
U.S. Navy Capt. (Dr.) Mark Kobelja, director of WRNMMC shook Sully’s paw following the oath.
Navy photograph by PO3 Julio MartinezEvan Sisley, personal aid and senior medic to President George H. W. Bush, thanks supporters during a welcome aboard celebration for service dog Sully H.W. Bush at the USO Warrior and Family Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Feb. 27, 2019.
The yellow Labrador retriever, a service dog from America’s VetDogs, joined the Walter Reed Bethesda Facility Dog Program, which provides interactive care for patients and staff using innovative Animal Assisted Interventions. Its mission is to help reduce stress and increase overall feelings of well-being among patients and staff.
WRB facility dogs average 2,500 contacts and over 200 working hours per month, collectively, according to the medical center. Sully, will be one of seven dogs working at the facility in Bethesda, Md.
“Through program tracking and monitoring, we determined that for every hour that a facility dog and their trained handler works, they have the opportunity to create positive patient experience for an average of 12 patients and their families,” the center’s news release said.
Sully had made headlines with a photo of him resting near the late president’s casket inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in December last year. He was named after Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, a retired airline captain, who landed a U.S. Airways passenger jet in the Hudson River after both engines lost thrust when the aircraft hit a flock of geese shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City.
Navy photograph by PO3 Julio MartinezCapt. Mary Seymour, center, commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Bethesda, poses for a photo with Elaine Rogers, president and chief executive officer of USO-Metro, left, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Samantha Murdock and new Walter Reed Bethesda facility dog Sully H.W. Bush after his welcome aboard ceremony at the USO Warrior and Family Center, Feb. 27, 2019.
Navy photograph by PO3 Julio MartinezSully H.W. Bush rests during his welcome aboard celebration at the USO Warrior and Family Center, Feb. 27, 2019.
Courtesy photographSully H.W. Bush pays his respects to the former president, George H.W. Bush, during the lying in state at the U.S. Capitol.
