BAMC’s facility dogs are provided by America’s VetDogs, an organization that trains and places military facility dogs.
SAN ANTONIO — Joint Base San Antonio announced this week the addition of two new facility dogs for Brooke Army Medical Center.
The dogs, Aja and Hershey, were both commissioned as Army officers – Aja to the rank of lieutenant colonel and Hershey to the rank of major, in a ceremony over the weekend.
They join two dogs already working at the facility, Army Maj. Budd and Air Force Maj. McAfee, to create a team of four.
Hershey’s handler at the facility says he has already proven to be a great icebreaker and therapy dog for his patients.
“He comforts patients that are going through something hard, often going up and putting his head on their lap before they even tell me what is going on,” Maj. (Dr.) Mark Ahlenius said. “I have had numerous patients sob into him as they share their pain; and even for the most resistant teen – they can’t help but smile and interact with Hershey.”
Aja’s handler, Lt. Col. Kristen Shear, nurse scientist, says she brings a smile to people’s faces.
“I get to see more people smile,” she said. “I immediately notice that if I walk across campus with Aja I see a lot more smiles and greetings than if I happen to be walking without her.”
BAMC’s facility dogs are provided by America’s VetDogs, an organization that trains and places military facility dogs to provide animal assisted intervention to patients and staff members at military and Veterans Affairs medical centers.
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