Railers welcome new puppy to the ice, to become service dog as part of team’s month of giving
Photo I Courtesy of Worcester Railers Hockey Club
Starting this month, the Worcester Railers Hockey Club will raise puppy to become a future service dog.
October 18 will not only kick off the Worcester Railers Hockey Club season, it will mark the introduction of a new member to the Railers family: a dog.
As part of the first Railers Month of Giving, the hockey team will raise the puppy on-site, who will eventually become a service dog for a veteran or first responder, according to a Tuesday press release.
The Railers will raise the pup in partnership with America's VetDogs, a New York-based nonprofit placing service dogs with veterans, first responders, and active-duty service members.
"September is National Service Dog Month, and we look forward to welcoming the Railers pup into the office later this month," Railers President Kim Golinski said in the release. "Upon completion of this program, the Railers pup will make a meaningful difference in the life of a veteran or a first responder with disabilities."
The Railers will begin training the dog in September and a naming contest will launch on Thursday. Final voting will begin on Tuesday. The Railers are already home to the high-profile dog Kelly Pup, as dogs have become more common in workplaces across Central Massachusetts.
The Railers’ decision to raise the yet-to-be-named puppy comes after the New York Islanders hockey team, of which the Railers are an ECHL affiliate of, has already raised five dogs in partnership with America's VetDogs, who have grown up to work as guide dogs or service dogs for those with disabilities.
“New England has always been an important region for America’s VetDogs, and thanks to the generosity of a longtime donor, we’re expanding our presence here to better serve veterans and first responders with disabilities," John Miller, America's VetDogs president and CEO, said in the release. "We’re especially excited to partner with the Worcester Railers in co-raising a future service dog puppy. Together, we’re helping to change lives by giving the gift of independence to those who have sacrificed so much for our country and communities.”
In tandem with this announcement and in honor of the team’s month of giving, the Railers and its foundation have announced two donation initiatives. First, the Railers have donated more than $20,000 to local nonprofits, and second, the team is encouraging their full-time employees to volunteer at Central Massachusetts charitable organizations, and in return, the Worcester Railers HC Foundation will donate $1,000 to the nonprofits in the employees’ names.
Eligible organizations include those centered around healthcare, service animals, educational resources, youth hockey, and court services.
"The Railers are a community first organization, and have instilled that philosophy in our office culture," Michael Myers, Railers chief operating officer, said in the release. "This is a way for our employees to give back in a more personal way that will benefit local non-profits not just monetarily, but also with their time."
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.
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