Story by Kate Walters

Friends, family, volunteers and service members gathered at Evans Army Community Hospital for a very special occasion, the dedication of a memorial bench in honor of Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Deanna Tuley, United States Air Force. Deanna’s leadership, vision and compassion helped shape the Red Cross Animal Visitation Program (AVP) into what it is today, and her memory continues to inspire everyone who knew her.

Deanna first joined the Red Cross in 2009, bringing with her the same commitment to people and mission that defined her Air Force career. She quickly became the lead for the Animal Visitation Program, pairing her love for animals with her heart for service. Alongside colleague Clara Huff, she co-authored the national guidance for AVP — the very framework that Red Cross teams now use worldwide. Thanks to their work, what began as a local program at Evans has grown into the largest AVP team in the country, reaching tens of thousands of service members, veterans, and families each year.

Those who worked with Deanna remember her bright smile, her magnetic energy, and the way she and her therapy dog could light up a room. She wasn’t just a leader; she was a source of comfort, supporting handlers through the joy of service and the sorrow of losing a beloved animal companion. Her legacy is one of compassion, resilience, and care for both people and pets.

One story that reflects Deanna’s compassion was shared by a fellow volunteer. A young girl was anxious about an upcoming surgery, and her parents reached out for support. Deanna arranged for a therapy dog and his handler to sit with the child and her family before she went into the operating room and to return again during recovery, offering peace and comfort at the moments it was needed most.

When Deanna passed in 2023, longtime volunteer Diane Griffith stepped up to carry the program forward. Under her guidance, the team has expanded across Colorado and into Wyoming, continuing to bring healing and joy to countless lives.

At the bench dedication, Commander Mapers, Hospital Commander at Evans Army Community Hospital captured what many were feeling: “I didn’t realize the full scope of Deanna’s impact until I learned about her work. She wasn’t just shaping a program here in Colorado — she was shaping a program for the entire Red Cross. This bench is a fitting tribute to her remarkable spirit.”

Now standing in a busy hallway of Evans Army Community Hospital, the bench is more than just a place to rest. It is a reminder of Deanna Tuley’s enduring gift — a life dedicated to lifting others through love, service, and the healing power of animals.