Welcome to our special page dedicated to one of the newest members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Abigail.

As the first official mascot of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps, LCDR Abigail not only embodies COF’s commitment to advancing public health and clinical health; she fulfills a direct role in supporting the well-being of our USPHS officers and the people they serve.

About LCDR Abigail

LCDR Abigail, a Labrador Retriever, is a Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) trained facility dog. Her primary role involves offering therapeutic care, fostering a sense of unity, and aiding in public health communications.

She is named after Abigail Adams, First Lady of the United States when the U.S. Marine Hospital Service was created in 1798. The Marine Hospital Service, the forerunner of today’s U.S. Public Health Service was responsible for safeguarding America against the spread of diseases brought back by sailors from foreign ports. This legacy echoes back to the inception of the U.S. Marine Hospital Service in 1798, a response to safeguard against the spread of diseases brought back by sailors from foreign ports. This marked the dawning of the U.S. Public Health Service.

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An Idea Born During a Pandemic

The concept of a service mascot was conceived during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. LCDR Abigail’s role is to improve mental well-being, enhance camaraderie of USPHS Commissioned Corps officers, and assist with public health messaging.

LCDR Abigail's Role

LCDR Abigail illustrates the loyalty and dedication of USPHS Commissioned Corps officers to the welfare and health security of the American people. As a facility dog, she will not only represent the USPHS at formal events, but will accompany officers in their work, offering comfort and relief from stress to everyone she encounters

Her presence underscores the therapeutic power of human-animal interactions and serves as a constant reminder of the Commissioned Corps’ mission to foster health and well-being across the nation.

A Testament to Generous Support

COF’s support has been the driving force behind the USPHS mascot program. The Foundation is proud to provide annual funding for the care, feeding and ongoing training of LCDR Abigail. It is thanks to our generous donors that COF is able to develop valuable programs such as this, fostering a greater sense of community and unity among the officers and connecting them ever more closely to the people they serve. COF’s partnership with the USPHS in this initiative is a realization of our commitment to further the Commissioned Corps’ mission and join with our officers and the Corps’ leaders in our shared role of furthering the health of our nation.

Join Us in Celebration

We invite you to share this good news and help us spread the word about LCDR Abigail, the first official mascot of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.