Photo By Jean Graves | Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Waltz, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Department of...... read more read more
FORT POLK, La. —FORT POLK, La. – Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital recently welcomed a new four-legged teammate to its Department of Behavioral Health. Sunny, a black Labrador retriever, was placed at BJACH through a memorandum of understanding with America’s VetDogs to serve as a facility dog supporting Soldiers, Families, and staff.
Sunny will work alongside Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Waltz, noncommissioned officer in charge of behavioral health, to support Soldiers, Families, and Veterans seeking care.
“My first experience with America’s VetDogs was during my deployment to Iraq in 2007,” Waltz said. “As a young behavioral health technician, I was amazed at the effect our Combat Operational Stress Control dog had on patients. She quickly became an invaluable member of our team. After arriving at BJACH in 2023, I realized a facility dog could have the same impact here and benefit not only Soldiers and Family members, but also BJACH staff and the entire Fort Polk community.”
Waltz said being accepted into the VetDogs program took dedication and teamwork. “When I received notification that we would receive a facility dog, I couldn’t have been happier,” she said. “I’m so thankful to America’s VetDogs for providing us with such a wonderfully trained and all-around good boy. What they do for veterans, military treatment facilities, and so many others are beyond words.”
Sunny has already made an impact. “From comforting a young child who was in tears to making patients and staff smile in the waiting rooms, he is already doing exactly what we hoped,” Waltz said. “This is just the start. As we build our relationship and get into a daily rhythm, his joyful personality and little tail wags will reach further than I could have imagined.”
According to Lt. Col. Riliwan O. Ottun, assistant director for healthcare operations and deputy commander for administration at BJACH, Sunny’s arrival strengthens the hospital’s mission to provide whole-person care.
“Sunny directly supports patient care by reducing anxiety and improving mood, fostering a positive healing environment,” Ottun said. “For Soldiers with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries, Sunny offers nonjudgmental companionship, building trust and enhancing treatment engagement. This improves recovery and readiness, aligning with the Army’s holistic health focus.”
Ottun added that Sunny benefits the staff as well. “Sunny boosts morale by reducing stress during demanding shifts,” he said. “This demonstrates BJACH’s commitment to staff well-being, which leads to reduced burnout and improved quality of care.”
America’s VetDogs carefully selected Sunny for this mission. “Sunny has a calm, steady temperament that allows him to remain grounded even in high-stress or emotionally charged environments,” said Gabi Lugo, service dog instructor for America’s VetDogs. “He enjoys interacting with a wide range of people, which is essential in a facility where patients, staff, and Families can all benefit from his presence.”
Lugo explained that Sunny underwent a comprehensive, multi-phase training process before arriving at BJACH. He spent his first 18 months learning basic obedience and house manners through the Prison Puppy Program at Patuxent Institution before entering formal training with professional instructors. “He was exposed to a variety of environments so that by the time he was placed at BJACH, he was confident and prepared for the unique demands of a military medical treatment facility,” Lugo said.
America’s VetDogs currently partners with more than 30 MTFs and installations nationwide, including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, the Pentagon, and U.S. Central Command in Tampa.
“The mission of America’s VetDogs is to help veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders regain independence and enhance their quality of life through the partnership of service dogs,” Lugo said. “Facility dogs like Sunny become part of the care team, helping to reduce stress, foster connection, and create moments of comfort that support mental and physical healing.”
Sunny’s arrival comes during National Service Dog Month, making his debut especially meaningful.
“BJACH welcomes Sunny! We understand the importance of emotional well-being and believe Sunny will offer comfort and joy to those facing challenges,” Ottun said. “His presence symbolizes our commitment to compassionate, holistic care for your mind, body, and spirit. We are confident Sunny will enhance healing and resilience within our community.”
For Waltz, being Sunny’s handler is both a professional honor and a personal dream fulfilled. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said. “It fills me with joy and gives me purpose every day. I am proud to be trusted with building the foundation of this program for our hospital, the installation, and our community. We are BJACH!”
Editor’s Note: Sunny’s arrival was made possible through a memorandum of understanding with America’s VetDogs. This article highlights BJACH’s commitment to whole-person care and is not intended as an official endorsement of America’s VetDogs by Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, the Defense Health Agency, or the Department of Defense (sometimes referred to as the Department of War).
| Date Taken: | 09.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.17.2025 13:52 |
| Story ID: | 548400 |
| Location: | FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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