Dooley and his staff were dedicated to medical care even when threatened by the war. Because of the threatening war situation in Laos in 1959, Dooley and his crew began war-training exercises. They planned how to unload patients off airplanes, how to care for large numbers of patients in the hospital rooms, and how to haul stretchers on the jeep. They also practiced making and carrying stretchers.

         In August 1959, Dooley received a letter from the American Ambassador to Laos urging Dooley, Rhine, and Davis to leave Muong Sing, at least temporarily, and relocate to a safer location. However, Dooley wrote back and explained that they would not abandon the Lao people and would stay in Muong Sing to operate the hospital and care for the people and the wounded. Rhine and Davis agreed with Dooley. They would leave only if the Lao military had to evacuate the area.