A beret-wearing dog who’s a familiar sight around Fort Bragg and Fayetteville is the USO’s Canine Volunteer of the Year, dog behaviorist and TV personality Cesar Millan announced in a video shared to the USO’s social media page April 21.
“I recently asked you to help me recognize an incredible canine making a difference in the military community, and your voices were heard. I am honored, to say the least, to announce the USO 2025 Canine Volunteer of the Year — congratulations to Sapper at Fort Bragg,” Millan said in the one-minute video.
Sapper, an 8-year-old Alaskan Husky, belongs to Army veteran Mike D’Arcy and was one of five canine volunteer finalists worldwide who the public voted on through an online ballot, according to the USO.
Sapper, who has been named the USO’s 2025 Canine Volunteer of the Year, is seen at the 82nd Airborne Division Review during All American Week in May 2024.
Wearing a maroon beret like many of the paratroopers on post, Sapper is often spotted on post and around Fayetteville riding shotgun in D’Arcy’s Jeep with his paws on a side perch, while he leans and peers out from sunglasses.
A video shared by the USO showed Sapper and D’Arcy surrounded by friends and soldiers in the USO Center on Fort Bragg when they heard Millan’s announcement.
As the room erupted with cheers, D’Arcy threw his hand into the air to celebrate before taking a photo of his canine companion.
Sapper’s own Instagram page, which frequently features photos of him greeting soldiers and children at the USO Center or veterans and senior citizens in the community, has not yet acknowledged the announcement, but a March 26 social media post stated he and D’Arcy were looking forward to the USO’s announcement.
“At this time, we are on standby due to a mission uptick in the Middle East,” the post states. “We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to support our troops — both near and far.”
Sapper is a service dog for a local veteran, Mike D’Arcy, who’s becoming popular on social media and with soldiers who spot him on post wearing a beret and sunglasses.
USO Canine Program and volunteering
The USO Canine Volunteer of the Year Award is part of the USO Canine Program.
According to the USO, its Canine Program connects certified therapy and comfort dogs that volunteer for the USO with service members and military family members across 250 USO centers worldwide.
For service members and military families who might not be able to have a pet because of frequent moves or deployments, the USO volunteer canines provide “emotional and mental support of a dog, which can alleviate stress” and “the comfort of a canine companion, especially for those recovering from illness or injury near one of our USO Warrior and Family Centers, or for those separated from a family dog back home.”
According to an April 21 news release from the USO, “Sapper has become an integral part of daily life at the USO Center at Fort Bragg, bringing joy, comfort and support to so many — approximately 13,000 service members and families each month.”
Sapper’s nomination and the news release state that he supports a wide range of USO programs, including youth activities and holiday celebrations.
“Beyond the center, Sapper supports critical military moments by attending deployment and homecoming events, offering comfort as Soldiers depart or return home,” the news release states.
Sapper is the USO’s 2025 Canine Volunteer of the Year.
In the announcement video, Millan thanked Sapper for his “hard work and dedication, the comfort, the connection and support you provide have made a meaningful impact, and so many within the military community offering moments of relief and companionship when it’s needed the most.”
“We are so grateful for all that you do. Congratulations,” Millan concluded.
Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fort Bragg dog Sapper named USO Canine Volunteer of Year
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