Nilly Smith

Nilly Smith is the Director of Certified Therapy Dog Teams for Military Animal Project. She served in the U.S. Army as a military police specialist, then spent 30 years as a court reporter, a career built on careful listening and steady attention to the people in the room.

Nilly has trained dogs for many years. She started a therapy dog group within her dog club and earned certification with Alliance of Therapy Dogs in 2018.

Nilly and her dog, Ranger, visit hospitals and a senior assisted living facility every week. She brings that hands-on experience to the program, a volunteer effort whose handlers and dogs are certified and insured through Alliance of Therapy Dogs. As a veteran herself, she understands the people these visits are meant to reach. Nilly also serves on Military Animal Project’s Board of Directors.