• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. To see what cookies we serve and set your own preferences, please review our Cookie Policy. Learn More.

The Dog People by Rover.com

Powered By Rover.com

Tips, stories, and reviews for people who love dogs, powered by Rover.com, the world's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.

  • The Dog People by Rover.com
  • Dog Breeds
    • Golden Retriever
    • Australian Shepherd
    • German Shepherd
    • Pomeranian
    • Shih Tzu
    • Border Collie
    • Labrador Retriever
    • Boxer
    • Beagle
    • Dachshund
    • Chihuahua
    • Poodle
    • Yorkshire Terrier
  • Dog Love
    • Cute
    • Funny
    • Heartwarming
    • Quizzes
    • Trending
    • True Stories
  • Dog Names
    • Best Girl Dog Names
    • Top Boy Dog Names
    • Unique Dog Names
    • Cute Dog Names
    • Best Puppy Names
    • Dog Name Generator
    • Tough Dog Names
    • Food Dog Names
    • Romantic Dog Names
    • Literary Dog Names
    • Country Dog Names
  • Dog Videos
  • Life with Dogs
    • Dog Safety
    • Dog Behavior
    • Dog Psychology
    • Dog Nutrition
    • Dog Training
    • Health and Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Can My Dog Eat…?
  • PuppyHQ
    • Dog Adoption
    • Puppy Essentials
    • Puppy Names
    • Puppy Training
  • Shopping
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • All Dog Product Guides
    • Dog Gift Guides
    • Safety and Training
    • Toys and Chews
  • Cats!
    • Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
    • Cat Psychology
  • Grooming
  • Get Rover
    • Dog Boarding
    • Pet Sitting
    • Dog Walking
    • Doggy Day Care
    • House Sitting
    • Search Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • Sitter Resources
  • Languages
    • en-CA
    • en-GB
    • fr-FR
    • es-ES
    • de-DE
    • it-IT
    • nl-NL
    • nb-NO
    • sv-SE
    • fr-CA

President George H.W. Bush’s Service Dog Sully Receives Recognition with a Statue

Share1.3kPin It0

President George H.W. Bush’s Service Dog Sully Receives Recognition with a Statue

Updated December 22, 2020 | For Dog People
By Rhona Melsky

Share1.3kTweet0Pin It0

If there’s ever been a dog who deserved a statue to commemorate his good deeds, it’s Sully, President George H.W. Bush’s service dog and companion. Ever steadfast and loyal, Sully H.W. Bush was always by the former president’s side, even after the president died.

The famous photo of Sully lying near Bush’s flag-draped casket prior to the memorial was enough to bring a tear to the eyes of many who saw the image that went viral.

Advertisement

Sully at former president George H.W. Bush’s casket. Photo by Evan Sisley

Loyal to the End

To recognize this very good and loyal dog, a bronze statue was unveiled for him on Nov. 10, 2020 in Smithtown, New York, where the yellow Labrador was born in 2016 and then raised to be of service to veterans who needed him. Only with President Bush for six months, it was a time well spent and whereby a strong bond was made. Sully’s dedication didn’t waver throughout his service to the former president, a World War II veteran.

The unveiling of the bronze statue of Sully took place in Smithtown, New York. Photo by James Chang, America’s VetDogs

“I had the joy of meeting Sully and spending three hours measuring, admiring and getting to know him,” sculptor Susan Bahary said at the ceremony. While measuring Sully for the bronze statue of his likeness, she was able to get to know him and learned really fast about this special dog’s devotion. So, she decided to do a good deed herself by dedicating the statue to America’s VetDogs, which provides service dogs to disabled veterans so they can live independently and with dignity.

Sully with sculptor Susan Bahary. Photo by James Chang, America’s VetDogs

Helping Veterans

“Our services are available to all veterans, not just presidents,” John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs, told CBS New York. “Sully did a great job along with the Bush family who is just tremendous to work with in helping shine a light on our services.”

Sully with a likeness of former president George H.W. Bush in Houston. Photo courtesy of America’s VetDogs

Breeding, raising and training an assistance dog such as Sully is not cheap. The full cost is upwards of $50,000 for one dog. However, America’s VetDogs offers its services free to disabled veterans.

And about that iconic photograph of Sully near Bush’s casket? It was captured at the funeral home by Evan Sisley, personal aide and senior medic to the former president. “For me in many ways it was just very symbolic of his role with President Bush,” Sisley said of the dog who was the recipient of the 2019 ASPCA Public Service Award. “Sully was the right dog, at the right moment for the right mission.”

Sully received the ASPCA Public Service Award in 2019. Photo courtesy of ASPCA

Sully’s Work Continues

While Sully was devoted to former President Bush until the very end, as they say, “A dog’s work is never done.” Sully continues to this day working at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. It is here that he continues helping servicemen and women, comforting them on a daily basis.

President Bush would be proud.

You can watch the unveiling of the statue here:

Follow Sully on Instagram. Click here to find out more about America’s VetDogs.

Featured photos: Left photo of Sully lying at the casket of former president George H.W. Bush by Evan Sisley. Right photo of Sully with his bronze likeness by James Chang, America’s VetDogs

Further Reading               

  • Your Top Questions about Service Dogs, Answered
  • Pets for Patriots Pairs Veterans with Rescue Dogs—and Saves Lives
  • How to Support Canine Veterans and Their Human Handlers
Share1.3kTweet0Pin It0

Rhona Melsky

Rhona Melsky is a longtime journalist/writer/editor, photographer, animal advocate, dog and horse rescuer, and classically trained singer who sings in a rock band. She shares her home with Gracie, an adopted former racing greyhound, and a husband.

sidebar

By Rhona Melsky

Share This Article

Share1.3kTweet0Pin It0

Popular Posts

  • How Do Dogs Choose Their Favorite Person?
  • 14 Muddiest Dogs on the Entire Internet
  • 15 Dog-Safe Plants You Can Add to Your Garden Right Now
  • TLC From B.C. Rescue Turns Fierce Feral Cats Into Calm Kitties
  • 19 Best Pug Gifts for People Who Love ‘Em
  • Most Unusual, Unique Dog Names
  • Arborist Brothers-in-Law Start Nonprofit to Rescue Cats From Trees [Video]
  • Esther the Wonder Pig and Her Dog Brother Phil Are Besties for Life
  • Struggling to Find a Gift for a Dog Lover? Try a Dog DNA Test This Holiday Season
  • 10 Therapy Animals Bringing Joy to the World
More from The Dog People

Sweet Therapy Dog Offers Much-Needed Relief to Firefighters Battling West Coast Fires

Learn More

  • About Rover.com
  • Download the App
  • Rover Store
  • Sitter Resources
  • In The Press
  • Terms of Service
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • User Terms
  • Privacy Statement
  • Cookie Policy

Need Help?

  • Help Center
  • Join the Team
Advertisement
© 2022 Rover.com. All Rights Reserved.