Sully, Who Lay Faithfully By President Bush's Coffin, Comes Home

SMITHTOWN, NY —Sully, a service dog who became known around the world after of photo of him laying faithfully beside the coffin of President George H.W. Bush went viral, is home.

A ceremony was held to welcome Sully, provided by America's VetDogs, back to Smithtown, where the organization is based.

"Welcome home, Sully! We are so grateful that you are still helping other veterans and their families. To our great neighbors the America's VetDogs and Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, we are truly humbled by the work you do every day," the Town of Smithtown said on Facebook.

Rep. Lee Zeldin also attended the "Welcome Home, Sully" event, joining America’s VetDogs President and CEO John Miller, Service Dog Program Manager Valerie Cramer, U.S. Army Veteran Tyler McGibbon, who currently works with an America’s VetDogs Service Animal, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, Smithtown Town Clerk Vincent Puleo, and other staff members from America’s VetDogs.

"I think it's so cool for us to be here to welcome Sully home," Zeldin said. "Everyone understands the magnitude of Sully's service."

Before Sully began his duty with President Bush, the pup was also a local hero, honored for his service in Suffolk County.

According to Suffolk County Legislator Susan Berland, chairwoman of the legislature's veterans' committee, Sully made his public debut in June, when America's VetDogs and Paws of War were part of a presentation before the legislature.

"As we remember and honor the lifelong service of President George H.W. Bush, let us also recall the impact of his service animal Sully," Berland said. "Service animals who are matched with our veterans provide invaluable comfort and support. We were proud to host Sully at the veterans committee to highlight the work of America's VetDogs and Paws of War before he left to serve our former President."

The collective tears of the world were shed at an Instagram photo of Sully in front of Bush's casket with the words, "Mission complete."

After his moment in the media spotlight, Sully returned to America's VetDogs on Long Island for a temporary stay throughout the holiday season before joining the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's Facility Dog Program, said Andrew Rubenstein, director of marketing for Guide Dog Foundation and America's VetDogs.

Sully will be working alongside fellow VetDogs facility dogs SGT Dillon and SGT Truman who are there to assist with physical and occupational therapy to wounded soldiers and active duty personnel during their journey to recovery at Walter Reed Bethesda, Rubenstein said.

America's VetDogs has placed physical and occupational therapy dogs at military medical centers to work with service members recovering from amputations or other injuries. Through retrieval, bracing, and innovative tug-of-war exercises, the dogs work with service members as they adapt and work with their new prosthetic limbs, VetDogs said in a statement.

His handler could be one of the active duty corpsman and medics who are selected and participate in a training program prior to becoming a handler; their participation as handlers is a collateral duty, VetDogs said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family during this difficult time," said John Miller, president and CEO of America's VetDogs. "It was truly an honor to have provided service dog Sully to be by the president's side for the past several months. As a true patriot and a visionary, President Bush will forever be viewed by people with disabilities and their families as a hero through his efforts to enact the Americans with Disabilities Act. We are forever grateful to his service to the American people."

The dogs make a tremendous difference in countless lives. This year, the Southold American Legion Auxiliary Unit 803 continued its legacy of giving back, presenting America's VetDogs with a $2,500 donation check.

According to the America's VetDogs website, the mission of the organization is "to help those who have served our country honorably live with dignity and independence."

The service dog programs of America's VetDogs® were created to "provide enhanced mobility and renewed independence to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, allowing them to once again live with pride and self-reliance. Not only does a service dog provide support with daily activities, it provides the motivation to tackle new challenges," the page said.

In addition, the page says, VetDogs trains and places guide dogs with people who are blind or have low vision. PTSD service dogs work to help mitigate the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder; hearing dogs help those who have lost their hearing later in life; service dogs are trained for individuals with other physical disabilities, and facility dogs are integrated into the rehabilitation process in military and VA hospitals.

It costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog; however, all of VetDogs' services are provided at no charge to the individual.

For additional information on America's VetDogs, click here.

Patch photo of Sully with President Bush's coffin courtesy Office of George H. W. Bush-Evan Sisley. Photos of event courtesy Rep. Lee Zeldin.