Furry Friends, Big Impact: How Therapy Dogs are Helping Service Members Heal

During a time of much-needed resiliency, and fortitude for service members abroad, USO Naples saw a need for a new program that strived to uplift the spirits and positively improve service members’ mental health. Through Therapy Dog Thursdays, USO Naples, in partnership with the American Red Cross, provided a weekly reprieve for Sailors of all ranks from the daily grind and offer a space solely devoted to respite and relaxation.

Coming alive with the yips and yaps of therapy dogs, the USO Lounge quickly became an affirming space for service members to enjoy the comfort and attention of these trained companions. With sweet demeanors and unconditional love to give, these charming dogs helped uniform personnel throughout NSA Naples work through difficult challenges while boosting their mental health. Though serving abroad can be an isolating and lonely experience for Sailors, hosting programs centered around therapy dogs truly showed the importance of comfort, companionship, and emotional support needed. It was a sight to behold as patrons of all ages came together to pet and play with these lively pups! The energy and enthusiasm throughout the Capo Lounge were as contagious as it was radiant.

Whether stopping by after a long day or just looking for an endorphin booster, members of the Capo base may have come together for the comfort dogs but stayed to chat with other Sailors, sharing stories of their military experiences, life abroad, and more. While Therapy Dog Thursdays began as an opportunity to offer additional therapeutic services on base, it has quickly become an avenue for service members to connect, feel seen, and build bonds to last a lifetime. USO Naples is happy to have shed light on the importance of therapy dogs for service members and be a cornerstone of the crucial comfort and support for those who have sacrificed so much for our country.