Photo: @Capitals

A common trend over the last few years in sports has seen organizations throughout the sports world welcome puppies in training to be service animals live among the daily goings on of team staff and personnel, a combination that has been widely popular. The Capitals are the latest NHL team to take on this project, as the team welcomed Captain, a 10-week old Labrador Retriever puppy as their official “Team Dog”, as he gets set to begin his socialization as a service dog and companion animal, in a video posted to social media.

Captain (who was born on July 22, 2019) will be joining the Caps for a year before he begins his proper service training through America’s VetDogs, a non-profit organization based in Smithtown, New York, that provides service dogs to veterans (active and past), and disabled first responders in need throughout the country. The total cost of the entire breeding, raising, training, and placement process is about $50,000, but the person receiving the dog is charged nothing.

🐶INTRODUCING THE GOODEST BOY!🐶

Meet Captain, the official team dog of the Washington Capitals!

In partnership with @AmericasVetDogs, Captain will be with us for over a year as he gets ready to assist a Veteran or First Responder.

Follow along on Instagram / Twitter: @CapsPup pic.twitter.com/w0ODidDgu8— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 5, 2019

Per his official Instagram and Twitter account (@CapsPup), Captain enjoys, “slick strolls on the ice, warm snuggles on the bench, and treats after a big win.” The Yellow Lab pup will undergo thorough socialization with members of the organization in preparation for his placement with a veteran or first responder. Captain made his public debut with Capitals’ captain Alex Ovechkin on the team’s Red Carpet prior to the team’s home opener against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Making my debut with @ovi8 !!! pic.twitter.com/sIbmTzGPKE— Captain (@CapsPup) October 5, 2019

I MADE THE TEAM! 🐶

I’m Captain the official pup of the @Capitals! Can I get a WOOF for the Coolest. Job. Ever? I love slick strolls on the ice, warm snuggles on the bench, and treats after a big win. It’s been ruff keeping this a secret, but I’m here now and can’t wait to play! pic.twitter.com/9zsQKSpcRE— Captain (@CapsPup) October 5, 2019

The Capitals enter tonight’s game against Carolina having won their first two games of the season on the road. For more info on Captain, read the Capitals’ official announcement HERE.

EVERYONE MEET THE CAPS TEAM DOG, CAPTAIN 😍 pic.twitter.com/mBAjqxmwU0— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) October 5, 2019

Look at his squishy face 😭 @CapsPup we love you pic.twitter.com/GYTZ6uO4UV— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) October 5, 2019

By Michael Fleetwood