The World's First Therapy Dog Isn't The Breed You Would Expect

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Accounting for over 50,000 furry workers in the U.S. alone, the demand for therapy dogs is high. With so many dedicated dogs helping people, certain breeds, such as Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers, have become the standard for this line of work. However, the first canine to take on this role was a small dog breed weighing less than 10 pounds: a Yorkshire terrier named Smoky.

Smoky was first found in the jungles of New Guinea by an American soldier in 1944. The soldier later sold the dog to Cpl. William A. Wynne, who had experience training dogs. Wynne found the small female dog to be lively and adventurous and started teaching her commands. Among all the common traits of Yorkies, its intelligence is often underestimated, demonstrated by Smoky's ability to learn over 200 verbal and hand commands to stay safe and calm during wartime. Smoky's adaptability and cute presence, as she carried her own backpack, helped boost the spirits of those on the battlefield as well as in infirmaries.

At the long-awaited end of World War II in 1945, most pets were left behind due to orders delivered to soldiers, but Wynne managed to bring Smoky home with him. Once back in Cleveland, Ohio, the energetic little war veteran would join Wynne at military events, entertaining and providing temporary relief from PTSD caused by the war. While Smoky may not be a household name, her legacy lives on, proving that even small dogs can take on big roles as therapy animals and war heroes.

The remarkable little dog's bravery was vital to her role as a therapy dog, as she showed extraordinary heroism in the face of danger that would inspire the American troops and their allies. Smoky faced — and lived through — many dangerous wartime events, including kamikaze attacks, a typhoon, 12 combat air missions, and a 6-inch jungle centipede's nasty sting. She also saved lives and completed solo missions, such as rescuing her owner, Cpl. William A. Wynne, from a shell attack by warning him before it hit, and running an essential communication cable across enemy lines.

The story of Smoky and her owner's many adventures is well-documented, including in Wynne's memoir, "Yorkie Doodle Dandy," and the novel "Smoky the Brave" by Damien Lewis. As many families welcome different types of terriers into their homes, her story has also been adapted to inspire kids in the "biographies for young readers" series in "Smoky, the Dog That Saved My Life: The Bill Wynne Story" by Nancy Roe Pimm. 

Still, the greatest tribute to brave little Smoky is the "Smoky and Dogs of All Wars" memorial in Wynne's hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. The monument continues to honor the bravery and role of Smoky in the war while bringing attention to all working dogs, big and small, who deserve admiration and remembrance.