Life-Size Statue of Sully, George H.W. Bush’s Service Dog, Headed to Bush Library

Sully may have only been by former President George H.W. Bush’s side for a few short months, but thanks to sculptor Susan Bahary, the beloved service dog will soon be taking up a symbolic post at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.

A permanent, bronze, life-size monument to Sully commissioned by America’s VetDogs will be placed in the east wing of the Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University. It is set to be unveiled on December 2.

The life-size Sully bronze features the three-year-old yellow Labrador in a sit position holding his leash in his mouth, which depicts the “retrieve” task service dogs are trained to perform for their handlers. Sully also wears his official America’s VetDogs service dog vest with the Great Seal of the United States on the back.

It was the shared mission of Bahary and VetDogs to highlight Sully’s work as a highly trained service dog as well as his devotion to the late president.

“I fell in love with Sully and wanted to capture in life-size bronze the beautiful loyalty and bond that our beloved president inspired in him and that was forever seared in our memories,” Bahary said in an America’s VetDogs news release. “As a sculptor known worldwide for my service animal monuments, I feel Sully helps honor the president’s legacy, wonderful groups like America’s VetDogs, and raises awareness of all types of service animals, as I’m also doing through the National Service Animals Monument and the Purple Poppy movement.”

Per H.W. Bush’s wish, Sully joined Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Facility Dog Program in Bethesda, Maryland, in February 2019, where he serves active service duty members, veterans and hospital patients through animal assisted therapies.