Dogs are considered one of the best companion animals. In addition to being good pets, they can change and help improve people’s quality of life.
They help people who suffer from blindness, take part in therapies to help with alcoholism treatment or work with children with hyperactivity… And many other things; they are capable of changing people’s lives.
Sully, the guide dog of former U.S. President George Bush, who accompanied him during his final months of life, has a new mission. He is part of the United States Navy team at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington.
George Bush developed Parkinson’s disease, and during his final months of life, Sully was his companion. Bush died on November 30, 2018, and that same day Sully traveled to Washington with the family and kept watch over the coffin in the funeral chapel. He was one of the family.
Sully’s new mission is to support, encourage, and comfort the sick and veterans of the U.S. Navy. He also helps reduce stress and generate positive emotions for the families and staff at the hospital facilities. As former president’s granddaughter Jenna Bush wrote on Twitter, Sully will never stop “spreading love.”
Sully will go on to spread his love at Walter Reed Hospital. He was a loving companion when my Gampy needed him most. My girls adored him—and wanted a final goodbye… https://t.co/8E9HZL6bxM
— Jenna Bush Hager (@JennaBushHager) February 21, 2019
“Sully will continue spreading his love at Walter Reed Hospital. He was a wonderful companion when my grandfather needed him most. My daughters adored him, and we wanted to say our final goodbye” In the message, she retweets a video from the television program Today, where she and her daughters went to say goodbye to Sully before his new mission.
Sully works alongside seven other dogs. They were all trained by America´s Vetdogs, a nonprofit organization that works with guide dogs to help disabled veterans and service members, as well as first responders.
He is named Sully after Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot who landed US Airways Flight 1549 in New York’s Hudson River. Bush requested him after the death of former first lady Barbara Bush, and they have been together ever since.
What did you think of Sully’s story? If you know a similar story about a dog, tell us about it.