Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched the next assertion saying the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps’ first official mascot – Lt. Cmdr. Abigail, a educated facility canine who will present therapeutic care to sufferers and Public Health Service officers.

Lt. Cmdr. Abigail was named after the previous First Lady of the United States, Abigail Adams, who has a historic connection to the service. The origin and historical past of the USPHS Commissioned Corps hint again to July 16, 1798, when Congress handed an Act, signed by President John Adams, creating the US Marine Hospital Service to guard in opposition to the unfold of illness from sailors getting back from abroad ports and thus started the story of the Public Health Service.

The idea of the service mascot originated in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Public Health Service officers deployed to reply to the most important public well being emergency in trendy occasions. The mascot is meant to enhance psychological well-being, improve camaraderie, and help with public well being messaging. When first appointed, the mascot receives an honorary rank within the USPHS Commissioned Corps equal to that of the first handler. This honorary rank is not going to embody any wage or retirement advantages.

Lt. Cmdr. Abigail, a Labrador Retriever, is a Warrior Canine Connection dog, who obtained particular coaching to function a facility canine. Lt. Cmdr. Abigail will function a residing image of the USPHS Commissioned Corps’ dedication to the higher public and defending the nation’s well being.

“The mascot is a very welcome resource for Public Health Service officers and the communities we serve. As we continue to see an increase in mental health struggles across the country, I hope Lt. Cmdr. Abigail will serve as a beacon of positivity as she performs her duties.” U.S. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health, Adm. Rachel Levine

“We are thrilled to announce that the USPHS Commissioned Corps will now have its own mascot to support our officers and the communities they serve. Public Health Service officers work every day to protect the health and well-being of our communities, and we are grateful to now have a furry friend who can be a source of happiness and joy for them. Lt. Cmdr. Abigail will serve as a welcome member of the USPHS family.” U.S. Surgeon General, Vice Adm. Vivek Murthy

“A mascot serves as a symbol of unity and hope for the future. It is a rallying point for both our service, and for the communities we serve. We know animals have mental and physical benefits, and our mascot symbolizes our commitment to serving both needs for our communities.” Deputy U.S. Surgeon General, Rear Adm. Denise Hinton

“Having Lt. Cmdr. Abigail as our mascot gives the USPHS Commissioned Corps more opportunities to connect with patients and their families in a compassionate way to improve mental, physical, and emotional well-being. We are proud to have Lt. Cmdr. Abigail serve and deploy with Public Health Service officers as one of America’s Health Responders to promote health and safety in our nation.” Director of Commissioned Corps Headquarters, Rear Adm. Richard Schobitz.

The USPHS Commissioned Corps mascot program is made attainable by a memorandum of understanding between the USPHS Commissioned Corps and the PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation. The mascot will likely be used for ceremonial functions and accompany our officers as they work to guard the nation’s well being.  

The USPHS Commissioned Corps is without doubt one of the eight uniformed companies and is the one uniformed service devoted to defending the nation’s public well being. Public Health Service officers serve all through the federal authorities to supply important healthcare companies to underserved and weak populations; reply to public well being emergencies or international emergencies; lead public well being applications and coverage growth, and advance innovation science.

For extra info on the USPHS Commissioned Corps and the service mascot, please go to: www.usphs.gov

About the Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Officers Foundation

The PHS Commissioned Officers Foundation for the Advancement of Public Health was established in June 2000 as a not-for-profit group to serve the schooling and analysis wants of the Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS.