Canine Comfort Crew

Canine companionship is a relationship that goes back to the beginning of time. Beyond cohabitation, Humans and dogs have forged meaningful relationships in both work and as pets. The capable Border Collie who can herd dozens of sheep in the blink of an eye- the direction and natural instinct coursing through their veins. The daunting German Shepard and Malinois whose training is often so complex they protect our very lives in a myriad of ways, from drug-sniffing to commanded attacks. The intuitive Labrador whose noes is so keen they are learning to sniff out sickness and detect cancer in its earliest phases. These professional canines are often represented in TV shows and movies, but most of us interact with everyday dogs at home or the park. Maybe a golden retriever, a Husky, and or a mutt. These everyday heroes do their job by providing us with love, affection, and companionship, and while it’s not sniffing our cancer it is a treatment most of us desperately need.

USO Sigonella recently launched a Canine Therapy dog program called the “Canine Comfort Crew” modeling their success on the CONUS centers already forging ahead with this valuable program. With 2 canines currently, servicemembers now have the opportunity to stop by the center and get some special comfort from our trained and certified therapy dogs. This special companionship can be vital to the mental health and resilience of our servicemembers, especially those who are on unaccompanied orders or were not able to bring their own pets. With loving, calm, and playful temperaments these pups are working in the best way they know how- through completely unbiased and uninhibited love. While the program is new, USO Sigonella knows it will be a huge success and hopes to see the program spread throughout OCONUS locations.