CAVU: VMI's Facility Dog - Virginia Military Institute

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In the spring of 2024, the office welcomed our newest staff member: a facility dog named CAVU.

Facility dogs assist people to cope after a traumatic event or overly stressful environment. CAVU’s occupational specialty is to assist the Institute chaplain in bringing morale, welfare, and care to cadets, especially those who are faced with upsetting news or painful issues, like the death of a family member.

The two-year old golden lab was trained by Mutts With a Mission (MWAM), a nonprofit located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and accredited through Assistance Dogs International (ADI), the world leader in the service dog industry. MWAM prepares service dogs for disabled veterans, first responders, and law enforcement. Facility dogs undergo the same rigorous training that service dogs go through, but instead of helping an individual with a disability, facility dogs ultimately help multiple people.

CAVU as a puppy with hat. Photo courtesy of Mutts with a Mission

An idea forms.

Col. John P. Casper ’04, at the time associate chaplain, first learned of MWAM when Project Horizon hosted an event on post to bring awareness to victims of sexual assault, and brought their facility dog with them.

“Seeing how the dog was interacting with everyone, and the impact it made at Project Horizon, I thought a dog like that could make a huge impact with cadets.”

Encouraged to think outside the box for fresh ideas in his ministry when promoted to Institute chaplain, the event wound up being the spark for a new era for the Chaplain’s Office.

“I thought about it for a little while and knew I had an out-of-the-box idea. I was aware of other facility dogs placed with colleges and floated the idea to General Wins. We invited Brooke Corson, executive director of MWAM, to visit post, and she agreed a facility dog would be a great addition for us.”

What’s in a name?

Along with seven other canines, VMI’s pup spent a large portion of his training on the aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, which is where he received his unusual name from the servicemembers stationed aboard. CAVU is an acronym for Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited, a term commonly used among Navy pilots, which means flying conditions are ideal.

“In the Navy, we young pilots all prayed for CAVU. But, you see, that is where my life is now. Thanks to my family and my friends, my life is CAVU,” said the late President Bush on his 80^th birthday.

Learn more about the arrival of CAVU in a news release from June 2024.

Receiving Rank

In 2024, Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85, then-superintendent of Virginia Military Institute, appointed the rank of honorary brigadier general upon CAVU.

As per the U.S. Army, all military dogs are given a rank higher than their handler. Brigadier general is one rank higher than colonel, which is the rank held by CAVU’s handler, Col. John P. Casper ’04. This tradition is in place to maintain order to prevent any perception of abuse.

As a higher ranking officer, any mistreatment of a military dog would result in disciplinary action for the handler, thus ensuring the dog is being treated well within the military. CAVU is now one of only a few brigadier generals currently serving on post.