Puppies, Pucks, And Paws: Islanders Pair Up With Future Service Dogs

BELMONT PARK, NY — The New York Islanders are pairing up with the Guide Dog Foundation for next year's calendar.

The 2027 Pucks & Paws calendar will feature players and pups with proceeds benefiting the Guide Dog Foundation.

The calendar will include the sport team's seventh Puppy with a Purpose – a future guide dog – whose name will be voted on by the public. Folks can vote on the puppy's name on the NY Islanders website until October 19.

Defenseman Matthew Schaefer said in a New York Islanders interview, "Dogs are the best, and they can help so many people in so many different ways. Mental health. Disabilities."

Marty, the Islanders' current Puppy with a Purpose, is starting his training to become a service dog. Puppy with a Purpose is a program through the Guide Dog Foundation that acts as a "fundraising, awareness, and training campaign" to highlight America's VetDogs' work.

President and CEO of Guide Dog Foundation and America's VetDogs John Miller said in a New York Islanders interview:

"We want the dogs to be socialized. The different sights, sounds, smells. All the different things that an arena and a hockey team could bring will help the service dog in the future when he has more experience now."

Miller added that the photoshoot day is supposed to be a day of fun and socialization.

"The players really take it seriously and have some fun with it, too, which is what it's all about," Miller said.