President George H. W. Bush's dog Sully immortalized in a bronze statue in Texas
Sully, the service dog who assisted late President George H. W. Bush in his final months, will now forever be by his owner’s side.
Officials at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Tex., on Monday unveiled a life-size, bronze statue of the loyal Labrador in the venue’s east wing. The piece, by Susan Bahary at Bahary Studios, was commissioned by the non-profit America’s VetDogs, which provides service dogs at no cost to veterans, active duty service members and first responders with disabilities. In fact, the organization placed Sully with Bush, who served in the Navy during World War II, after the death of his wife, Barbara, in April 2018.
Sully was selected especially for the former POTUS because of his ability to handle Bush’s constant stream of visitors and travel itinerary, as well as assist him in a wheelchair, the organization’s Brad Hibbard told CNN in December 2018.
“Not only is he good at retrieving things, he helped the president by opening doors, knew when to get assistance from someone else, and knew when Bush needed comfort, so he would place his head on his lap,” Hibbard said.
Sully, who’s named after hero airline pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, is most recognized by the masses for staying near Bush’s casket as dignitaries paid tribute to the politician with a state funeral following his November 2018 death.
These days, besides making the appearance to see his statue, Sully the dog has a new job, according to the Bush’s foundation. He’s now working with wounded veterans and active military personnel as part of the team at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
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