George H.W. Bush Welcomes New Member to Family: Service Dog Named 'Sully'
George H.W. Bush welcomed the newest addition to the Bush family on June 25, 2018: a service dog named Sully H.W. Bush.
America’s 41st president has always loved dogs and currently lives with five dogs that belong to his children. But this newest addition is there specifically for him.
Sully was trained by a nonprofit called America’s VetDogs that provides service dogs to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders who are disabled. The extensively trained dogs are provided at no cost to the recipients. The company’s mission is “to help those who have served our country honorably live with dignity and independence.”
The nonprofit also trains dogs to help those who are blind or have impaired vision, those who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, and those who have lost their hearing. Service dogs can also be a part of the rehabilitation process in VA hospitals.
The yellow Labrador is named after Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, an airline pilot who saved 155 passengers on a 2009 flight by landing the damaged jet on the Hudson River.
When Bush developed a form of Parkinson’s disease, he started using a wheelchair to help him get around. His newest, furry friend will be able to help him perform tasks that most people take for granted.
He is also recovering from his recent visit to the hospital for low blood pressure and infection that spread into his blood. Evan Sisley, an aide for the former president, said that Sully will be able to open doors, answer the phone, and get help.
“More than anything else, the dog will be a wonderful companion,” Sisley said, referring to the fact that the former president is still grieving the loss of his wife.
Bush and Sully first met on the coast of Maine and a now-viral Tweet commemorated the moment. Bill Clinton was also there for the precious moment.
“A great joy to welcome home the newest member of our family, ‘Sully,’ a beautiful — and beautifully trained — lab from @AmericasVetDogs. Could not be more grateful, especially for their commitment to our veterans,” the tweet read.
Sully has already proven to be an Instagram star. A picture posted on the day after the viral meet up shows Sully sitting next to Bush’s wheelchair.
The caption read, “I started settling in at Walker’s Point yesterday. Lots of new smells and kind people. I have had a lot of training to get to this point, it hasn’t always been easy, but I am ready for the job. ‘Any definition of a successful life must include service to others.'”
The goal of the Instagram account is to bring awareness to how helpful service dogs can be to those with disabilities.
This adorable pair will spark necessary conversations about the importance of service dogs to those with disabilities. Sully’s Instagram will definitely be a cute account to follow!
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