'Hope, joy, companionship': Amazin' Mets Foundation partners with America’s VetDogs to raise service pup

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — He’s a good boy.

The philanthropic arm of the New York Mets, the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, has joined forces with a national nonprofit to co-raise a future service dog for a U.S. veteran or first responder with disabilities.

This is the third pup that the foundation will raise alongside America’s VetDogs, an organization for which the Amazins have funded $150,000 in grants.

A male, 11-week-old yellow Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever mix will undergo basic training and socialization with the Amazin’ Mets Foundation staff and Mets players and fans over the next 14 to 16 months, the groups announced on Wednesday.

The unnamed pup will have a home at the Mets front office, and he will attend events at Citi Field to expose him to different environments “that will help mold him into a confident and calm future service dog.”

Fans are able to help choose the dog’s name by voting in a poll on the @Mets X account . In honor of Bud Harrelson, Dwight Gooden and Mookie Wilson, the options for the pup’s name are Buddy, Doc and Mookie.

The winning name will be announced at 1:10 p.m. on Thursday at Citi Field, when the Mets play the Chicago Cubs in the final game of a four-game series.

"Over the past several seasons, the Mets organization has consistently shown their unwavering commitment to supporting veterans and first responders in this truly unique way,” President and CEO of America’s VetDogs John Miller said. “The new puppy will undoubtedly become a cherished member of both the team and front office, and we are excited to watch the newest MetsVetDog begin this journey.”

At @MetsVetDog on Instagram, X and TikTok, fans can follow the pup’s training and community appearances.

“Service dogs bring hope, joy and companionship to our veterans and first responders, and we are thrilled to continue to provide these life changing experiences,” President of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation and New York Mets Owner Alex Cohen said.

For more information on America’s VetDogs, or to get involved, click here .