In honor of America’s 250th birthday, The Farmer’s Dog is partnering with the United Service Organizations (USO) to feed 250 dogs belonging to military families—including therapy dogs who provide invaluable support to service members.
“Dogs play a unique role in the lives of military families,” said Lindsey Fischetti, Senior Director of USO Programs. “They provide stability, comfort, and unconditional love during some of the most challenging moments of service. The USO Canine Program helps service members and military families connect both with volunteer therapy dogs who provide comfort and connection, and forge bonds with the pets that provide support and warmth to the whole military family.”
Meet the USO Canine Volunteer of the Year
One such dog is Sapper, who in April was named the USO Canine Volunteer of the Year for his work at Fort Bragg. In a recent Fort Bragg Public Affairs Office article, veteran Diane Glutz, who works for the Army and is frequently at the USO center with Sapper, said of the Alaskan Husky and the comfort he provides: “He can sense when something is wrong. Sapper is such a loving and patient dog.”
In the same article, Staff Sgt. Lazaro Llerena, who is currently assigned to the 20th Engineer Brigade, said: “I come just for Sapper. The USO has other services, but having a working dog like Sapper is a nice stress relief.” He gave the quote with Sapper sitting on his lap.
Other finalists for the USO Canine Volunteer of the Year included Penny, a German shepherd and Chinook mix who works in Yokosuka, Japan. Per the USO’s Canine Volunteer of the Year nomination page, “Many service members, including base leadership, make special visits for cuddles, knowing Penny has a gift for turning stressful days into lighter ones.”
Another notable USO Canine Volunteer of the Year nominee for 2025 was Ranger, who has spread joy throughout New Jersey and Delaware. Per the USO, at the Cape May Coast Guard Training Center, the golden retriever “provided the first USO support many recruits had experienced, offering warmth and comfort during rare moments of downtime.”
More support for the USO
In addition to feeding dogs belonging to military families, The Farmer’s Dog is doing more to help them and foster the human-canine bond. We’ll be sponsoring two USO Canine Program events in 2026. And we’ll be providing swag in welcome-home pet care kits for returning military families.
For more information about how you can support the USO and the service members and military families they serve, visit uso.org.
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