Animal Welfare Professionals

We will not be hosting a Community Conversations call this upcoming Monday, February 19th in observance of Presidents Day. Instead of our call, we invite you to celebrate the many varied pets of our Presidents, past and present. Our Steering Committee has also put together a fun activity to share with your teams that quizzes them on some of these facts below! Feel free to print the attachment, email or share to engage your teams this Presidents Day. 

President George Washington is known for loving his many animals, including many dogs, horses, and a parrot for First Lady Washington. He is often depicted riding his horse, Blueskin, who he attempted to ride during battles. But, Blueskin did not tolerate the sounds, smells, and sights of battle very well so he was retired to Washington's farm on Mt. Vernon. 

President John Quincy Adams had some of the most unique White House pets, including silkworms and an alligator!

President Andrew Jackson had a parrot named Polly who learned many swear words during her time in the White House. She famously attended the President's funeral and had to be removed due to her loud and consistent profanity. 

President Abraham Lincoln had a dog named Fido, which led to the usage of "fido" as a generic term for a dog. He also had a cat, Dixie, who he often said was smarter than his whole cabinet. President Lincoln is also often depicted with a horse and that horse was Old Bob. He was along Lincoln's side for decades and attended his funeral in a mourning blanket. 

John F. Kennedy and his family enjoyed sharing their home with many dogs, hamsters, parakeets, ponies, and a cat. 

President Clinton famously had a cat named Socks. Chelsea Clinton's piano teacher found two kittens under the porch of her house who she tried to reunite with their mother. But, their mother never came and one day the Clinton's noticed the kittens playing in the teacher's front yard. Socks jumped into Chelsea's arms and immediately became part of the family. Socks' brother found a home thanks to a local shelter. 

President George W. Bush and the First Lady had many dogs during their time in the White House, including two Scottish terriers named Barney and Miss Beazley. Side note: Shout out to the SPCA of Texas who provided them with their first rescue pup many years later, a dog named Freddy who was found in a garbage bin.

President Obama had two Portuguese water dogs, Bo and Sunny. While running for president, Barack and Michelle Obama promised their daughters that they would get a puppy whether he won or lost the race. A few months after the Obama family moved into the White House in 2009, Senator Ted Kennedy gave them Bo as a gift. Bo passed away in 2021 at the age of 12. 

President Joe Biden's loyal dog, Champ, moved to the White House with him along with the first shelter dog to live in the White House, Major. Major Biden was adopted from the Delaware Humane Association who held an "indoguration" for him. Champ sadly passed away in 2021 nearly 13 years old and the Bidens were gifted another German Shepherd named Commander. The Bidens also adopted a cat, Willow. She is a grey tabby who jumped on stage during a rally in Pennsylvania in 2020 and reportedly has "no limits" in the White House. 

As we commemorate this day, let us recognize the important job of the President of the United States and the positive impacts their pets have on their well-being while in office.

Catch up on previous Community Conversations Calls:

• Shaping the Future of Veterinary Care: Cultivating Diversity, Trust, and One Health with VetREDI
• Paws for Inclusion: Exploring Disability Diversity in Animal Welfare
• Small Team, Big Impact

#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

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Attachment(s)

Presidential Pet Trivia.pdf   518 KB 1 version