Photo By Spc. Darius Smith | U.S. Army Veteran Mike D'arcy's service-dog, Sapper, wears a maroon beret and...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – If you live on Fort Bragg, in Fayetteville, or any of the surrounding areas, chances are you’ve seen U.S. Army Veteran Mike D’Arcy and his service-dog, an American Husky by the name of Sapper, gallivanting about. Donning his signature maroon beret and sporty sunglasses, Sapper and D’Arcy can frequently be spotted on base volunteering at various units offering Soldiers some much needed decompression time by allowing them to engage with the Husky. D’Arcy expresses pure adoration for his furry companion when he recounts the ways that Sapper has helped him transition from an active-duty Soldier to a retired Veteran.
“It takes the place of being around the camaraderie of the Soldiers,” D’Arcy says. “He fills that spot.”
In a conversation about his retirement and his life as a dog owner, D’Arcy revealed that, initially, he wasn’t going to adopt Sapper. D’Arcy had lost his three Huskies to cancer over the previous three years, and he didn’t want to feel that heartbreak again. However, one of his close friends, owner of a local animal rescue, convinced him to come take a look at some puppies, because she wanted to give one to him to help him grieve. Once he arrived, he said that all the puppies clambered around him and then ran off, but one stayed on his feet. That puppy was Sapper, and in that moment, he decided he would give it another go. Sapper is now six years old, and he and D’Arcy spend much of their time on base offering cheer and smiles to everyone they encounter.
“He did a couple of interviews with the newspaper and the T.V. After that, he got more popular,” D’Arcy said of what made him and Sapper take the challenge of going to different units on base to help Soldiers decompress. “… and then people started asking if he could come by and see them. So, different units, they get a few minutes, and he comes by and hangs out with them, and it makes their day. He lives for it.”
It’s easy to understand why Soldiers look forward to their time with Sapper. His calm presence, playful spirit, and unwavering loyalty offer a rare kind of comfort—one that words often fail to capture. As a four-legged ambassador of connection and healing, Sapper reminds us of the powerful bond between humans and animals, especially in times of transition, stress, and recovery. On this International Dog Day, we celebrate not just Sapper and D’Arcy, but every service member and Veteran with their own furry family member and the Military Working Dogs whose quiet contributions leave lasting impressions across our communities.
| Date Taken: | 07.30.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2025 13:24 |
| Story ID: | 546403 |
| Location: | FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Sapper... A Veteran's Companion, by SPC Darius Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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