Weighing just four pounds and standing about seven inches tall, this Yorkshire terrier walked through the jungles of New Guinea with the American soldier who found her.
Smokey's first assignment was to help her with the lines of communication. The three-day operation saw Smoky digging through culverts to lay telephone wires under an airstrip heavily targeted by the Japanese. Smokey's efforts saved the lives of more than 250 people and more than 40 aircraft.
Bill Wynne, Smoky's newly established owner, then began teaching her to do tricks, including more complex tricks such as 'playing dead', tightrope walking and riding a handmade scooter. Unbeknownst to her owner, these tricks would mark the first step in her therapeutic career.
When Vine contracted jungle fever, the hospital's commanding officer, Dr. Charles Mayo, gave Smokey the green light to lie on Vine's bed and even accompany the nurses on their rounds.
This immediately led to other sick and wounded soldiers being treated as her presence boosted their morale, lightened spirits and kept morale high. Her healing effects were instantly recognizable and she became one of the first therapy dogs, which are now widely used to treat people.
In all, Smoky served as a therapy dog for twelve years during and after WWII. Her efforts during the war also helped to educate others about the healing nature of dogs, and by 1947 over 700 dogs had been donated by civilians.
Smokey died peacefully in her sleep in 1957, two years after retiring.
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