NHL teams having a dog that hangs out around the rink and with the players is nothing new.
But it is new for the Vancouver Canucks, who announced late Thursday afternoon that they will be partnering with BC Guide Dogs this season to sponsor a litter of puppies and raise a service dog this season.
In a statement, the Canucks said:
After training is completed, this Canucks pup will work with a visually impaired client, a child with autism, or a veteran/First Responder living with OSI-PTSD.
Service dogs play a vital role in our community by improving the quality of life for many, including assisting in mobility, lowering stress, and increasing happiness. But they are in high demand. The Canucks pup is a special opportunity to help meet this need and make a positive impact in our community.
BC Guide Dogs was founded in 1996 and exists to meet the growing demand for professionally trained Guide Dogs, Autism Service Dogs, and OSI-PTSD Service Dogs for citizens of British Columbia. They are dedicated to improving the availability of trained dogs that meet or exceed international standards including breeding, raising and training more dogs, and continuing to give care to dogs that are currently with human partners.
The breed of the Canucks’ new pup is not yet known, but the club is encouraging fans to submit their name ideas for the new canine. Fans will then get to vote on their favourite name at a later date.
You can submit your ideas for the Canuck pup’s name by clicking here.
What do you think is the best name for the Canucks’ new team dog? Let us know in the comments section below!

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