Worcester Hockey Team Welcomes Service Dog, Donates $20k To MA Nonprofits

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester's hockey team is introducing its cute new addition.

The Worcester Railers Hockey Club announced that it will co-raise a future service dog in honor of the team's "Month of Giving," according to a news release on Wednesday. The puppy will be introduced on Opening Night, Oct. 18.

The service dog will be raised in partnership with America's VetDogs, a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities at no cost.

"September is National Service Dog Month, and we look forward to welcoming the Railers pup into the office later this month," said Worcester Railers President Kim Golinski. "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 puppy will be raised at the Railers' office. The team will also launch a contest to name the puppy on Thursday, and the final voting round will begin next Tuesday.

As part of Railer's "Month of Giving," the team also announced that it will donate more than $20,000 to local nonprofits. All full-time employees will choose a charitable organization to work with in Central Massachusetts. The Worcester Railers Foundation will donate $1,000 in the employee's name.

Related: Comfort Pup Coming To Worcester Police, Thanks To DA Funding