Sully, Service Dog To H.W. Bush, Starts New Job At Walter Reed

BETHESDA, MD — Sully H.W. Bush, the former service dog for the late President George H.W. Bush, has started a new job at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

On Wednesday, the two-year-old Labrador was sworn into the hospital's facility dog program in Bethesda, where he will assist veterans and patients. At the ceremony, which was streamed on Facebook, Sully offered his paw and received an oath of enlistment:

"Do you affirm — or pant — as a hospital corpsman in the United States Navy that you will support, comfort, and cheer warriors and their families, active duty and retired? That you embrace our staff and bear unconditional love and solace, especially on busy days? That you take this obligation freely, without any promise of treats or tummy rubs and that you will faithfully discharge the duties to provide joy, love, and nurturing for our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and their families?"

Canines in the program receive military rank and represent either the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marines, according to Walter Reed. Sully was appointed to the rank of petty officer, hospital corpsman second class in the U.S. Navy.

Now a newly minted member of the facility dog program, Sully is tasked with reducing anxiety and providing comfort and love to Walter Reed patients and staff.

"Today I became an official Facility Dog - HM2 Petty Officer. It's an honor and privilege to join a wonderful group of dogs at @WRNMMC and I look forward to continue my mission to serve veterans as my best friend wanted me to," Sully said on Instagram.

Before he joined the canine program at Walter Reed, Sully was the beloved service dog for the late President H.W. Bush.

The yellow labrador tugged at America's heartstrings when he was photographed lying next to the 41st president's flag-draped casket in the Capitol Rotunda late last year.