Photo By Joseph Jones | MADIGAN ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. — Madigan Army Medical...... read more read more
MADIGAN ARMY MEDICAL CENTER, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. — Madigan Army Medical Center recently celebrated the promotion of one of its most recognizable team members when Earl, a black Labrador retriever who supports staff and patients throughout the medical center, advanced from major to lieutenant colonel.
Madigan Director Col. Jimmy Watts presided over the ceremony, recognizing Earl’s dedicated service and continued impact across the Madigan community.
"As our facility dog, Earl provides a very special kind of care that medicine alone cannot replicate," said Watts. "Whether sitting with a patient before a procedure or giving our healthcare staff a moment of relief during a grueling shift, Earl brings comfort, boosts morale, and strengthens the heart of our facility. Promoting him to lieutenant colonel is our way of honoring his faithful service to the entire Madigan family."
Earl arrived at Madigan in May 2022 and received his first honorary rank of captain that July. He was later promoted to major on May 31, 2024. Since arriving at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Earl has become a beloved fixture throughout the hospital corridors, actively bolstering staff wellness and comforting patients and their families.
Earl works closely alongside his handler, Ms. Tracy Baker, Madigan’s Healthcare Resolution Specialist. Together, they provide health care professionals with dedicated peer support and wellness initiatives while conducting routine rounds across clinical and administrative workspaces.
"Earl brings an immediate sense of calm and relief wherever he goes," said Baker. "Our healthcare teams face immense pressure daily, and having Earl step into a ward allows staff a crucial moment to pause, breathe, and reset before returning to their vital work."
Connecting wellness to mission readiness
For a military medical treatment facility, staff wellness is inextricably linked to mission readiness. Healthcare professionals routinely operate in high-tempo, demanding clinical environments, caring for service members and families during critical and vulnerable moments. Ensuring staff have structured opportunities to decompress, process stress, and maintain emotional resilience directly supports overall operational effectiveness.
"Readiness starts with taking care of our caregivers," Baker noted. "Earl’s role isn’t just about providing comfort; it’s an active intervention that strengthens resilience across our medical teams so they can continue delivering the highest standard of care."
Impact across wards and waiting areas
Beyond supporting hospital staff, Earl’s daily rounds bring comfort and positive distraction to patients facing challenging medical circumstances. His calm temperament helps alleviate anxiety during appointments, procedures, and extended inpatient stays.
"When patients see Earl, the entire atmosphere changes," Baker added. "He helps break down the stress and apprehension often associated with medical visits, fostering a much more healing and supportive environment."
Although Earl’s military rank is honorary, the vital role he performs reflects Madigan’s broader commitment to total workforce wellness and patient-centered care. Now proudly serving as Lt. Col. Earl, he will continue his regular rounds across the facility, sustaining the resilience and readiness of the Madigan health care team.
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2026 17:34 |
| Story ID: | 574207 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 29 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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