USAA introduces therapy dog ambassador and awards grant to K9s For Warriors

USAA has introduced Smoky, its first K9 Ambassador and Chief Pawsitivity Officer, and awarded a $60,000 grant to K9s For Warriors to support veteran mental health initiatives.

Smoky, a 1.5-year-old black English Labrador Retriever, was donated to USAA through a partnership with K9s For Warriors, a nonprofit organization that provides trained service dogs to veterans. As a certified therapy dog, Smoky will support employee well-being initiatives, military community engagement efforts, and outreach activities, including assisting members affected by catastrophic events.

The dog is named after Smoky, a Yorkshire Terrier that served during World War II and is widely regarded as one of the military’s first therapy dogs.

The grant to K9s For Warriors will help fund the training and placement of service dogs with veterans. Founded in 2011, the organization has paired nearly 1,300 veterans with service dogs and rescued more than 2,500 dogs.

“Smoky represents how we care for our people and our members—not just in what we do, but in how we make them feel. Across our employee community, we have seen firsthand how connection and well-being directly impact our ability to serve—and dogs have a unique ability to unlock both in ways nothing else can. Smoky brings that to life in a powerful way—helping us create moments that matter, strengthen bonds and live out our commitment to take care of our own.” – Juan C. Andrade, President and CEO of USAA.