TAMPA, Fla. - The month of May is Mental Health Awareness month, an opportunity to highlight the importance of mental health within the military community and to bring awareness to the challenges service members, veterans and their families often face. It’s also a time to recognize the vital role therapy dogs play in supporting mental health.
Meet Don, CENTCOM J3’s facility dog. Don and his handler, MGySgt Duriel Johnson, travel around the CENTCOM campus throughout their workday bringing smiles and comfort to all who interact with him. A typical day for the duo involves attending the Commander’s morning meeting, accommodating workplace visit requests, lounging in the J3 office, playtime with J3 workforce and attending the end of day meeting with the J3 Director of Operations. USCENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla refers to Don as the Green Mile because he soaks in all the negativity from any given room.
Don comes to CENTCOM at no cost through the America’s VetDogs organization that breeds and trains service dogs to veterans, active-duty service members and first responders with disabilities. For many years, the group has placed facility dogs at several DoD facilities and organizations around the country including the Pentagon J3, Andrews Air Force Base and various Military Medical Hospitals.
The two-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever went through an intense 18-month training program that began when he was a puppy and prepared him to be comfortable in various environments. Studies have shown that facility dogs mitigate work-related stress and anxiety while also strengthening social interactions in the workplace. “I’ve been told he is the best thing to happen to CENTCOM,” said MGySgt Johnson. “The morale throughout the building has dramatically shifted for the better.”
MGySgt Johnson volunteered to be Don’s primary handler and takes him home at the end of his workday. He says Don is very calm for a young Labrador. He’s happy to take his vest off and just relax. MGySgt Johnson says Don loves car rides, playing fetch and taking walks along the Tampa Bay waterfront.
Military Appreciation Month is also in May, a chance to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of current and former military service members and show appreciation to their dedication and service. CENTCOM appreciates America’s VetDogs for providing Don to J3. The impact he’s made around campus is immeasurable. J3 personnel are often seen with Don, taking him for walks and playing fetch. The ultimate goal for a facility dog is to improve morale and it looks like Don is doing just that.