Susan Bahary - National Service Animals Monument
DESCRIPTION
In this episode, Susan explores a historic milestone in honoring the unsung heroes of American service the animals who have stood side by side with their human partners in moments of danger, sacrifice, and lifesaving service. The National Service Animals Monument (NSAM) has just received a transformational $1 million donation, accelerating efforts to build the nation’s first federally authorized monument dedicated to service animals and their handlers in Washington, DC.
Renowned sculptor and NSAM founder, Susan Bahary, will discuss the vision behind this landmark tribute and why it’s long overdue. From military working dogs to guide dogs and assistance animals, this conversation highlights the extraordinary human-animal bond that has shaped countless lives across generations.
Listeners will gain insight into the bipartisan effort that made this monument possible, the ambitious $25 million campaign to bring it to life, and the powerful stories that underscore its importance. Susan also shares her deeply personal belief in the healing power of art and animals, offering moving examples that illustrate how these partnerships embody the very best of American values service, sacrifice, courage, and unity.
GUEST BIO
Susan Bahary is an internationally acclaimed sculptor, author, and animal welfare advocate, best known for her monumental bronze sculptures honoring military working dogs, service animals, and their handlers. As the founder and chair of the National Service Animals Monument (NSAM), she is leading a historic effort to establish the first federally authorized monument in the United States dedicated to recognizing the service and sacrifice of animals and their human partners across the military, law enforcement, and assistance sectors.
Susan’s work is driven by a profound respect for the human-animal bond and a lifelong commitment to telling the stories of courage, loyalty, and service that often go unrecognized. Her sculptures are featured in prominent public and private collections and serve as lasting tributes to the vital roles animals play in society.
A passionate advocate for the healing power of both art and animals, Susan brings a deeply personal perspective to her work, drawing on real-life stories of veterans, first responders, and individuals whose lives have been transformed by service animals. Through her leadership at NSAM, she continues to champion a national movement to ensure these extraordinary partnerships are permanently honored and remembered.
LINKS