Las Vegas Therapy Dog Cooper Named Finalist for 2025 USO Canine Volunteer of the Year
A familiar four-legged face in Southern Nevada’s military community is getting national recognition. Cooper, a USO-certified therapy dog based out of USO Las Vegas, has been named one of the top five finalists for the 2025 USO Canine Volunteer of the Year award, honoring dogs who provide critical emotional support to service members, veterans, and their families.
From Local Rescue to Military Morale Booster
Cooper, a Dalmatian with a fondness for cheese and a smile-shaped spot on his side, began his journey as a rescue dog right here in the Las Vegas Valley. Today, he plays an active role in supporting the mental and emotional well-being of the military community. Through the Canine USO Program, Cooper regularly visits the USO Center at Harry Reid International Airport, where he helps ease travel-related stress for service members and their families. He also volunteers alongside his sister, Molly, during monthly visits to Nellis Air Force Base and special trips to Creech Air Force Base.
USO-certified therapy dogs like Cooper are trained to provide comfort during some of the most demanding moments of military life, offering calm, connection, and a sense of normalcy through simple companionship.
A National Honor With Local Roots
Cooper is one of five finalists selected from USO centers around the world. The other contenders include Maki from USO Ramstein in Germany, Penny from USO Yokosuka in Japan, Ranger from New Jersey and Delaware, and Sapper from Fort Bragg in North Carolina. The Canine Volunteer of the Year award recognizes not just the dogs themselves, but the powerful role animals play in supporting resilience and emotional health within military communities.
Voting for the 2025 USO Canine Volunteer of the Year is open through March 16. Community members can learn more and cast their vote through the USO’s official voting page. For Las Vegas locals who have seen Cooper in action, this nomination is a meaningful reminder of how rescue dogs can go on to serve in extraordinary ways — one wag, one visit, and one smile at a time.