ST PAUL, Minn. — Hockey puppy alert!
The Minnesota Wild announced they adopted a team puppy, a 12-week old Labrador Retriever named Breezer, and signed him to a one-year training contract.
Breezer was adopted from Coco's Heart Dog Rescue, and will be trained as a future service dog.
Wild President Matt Majka and his wife Kym will foster Breezer and help him with his obedience training until next summer. After that, Breezer will continue training with Soldier's 6, a Minnesota non-profit that matches "honorably discharged veterans, police officers, and fire fighters with specially trained K-9's."
Eventually, Breezer will be placed with a veteran with PTSD as a "Battle Buddy," according to the Wild.
"We are extremely ecstatic to have Breezer join the Wild organization," Matt Majka said in a statement. "The work Coco's Heart Dog Rescue and Soldier's 6 do is truly amazing, and we couldn't imagine a better way to give back to the community than to have a part in helping Breezer find a home with a deserving individual."
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Eager to give Breezer some belly rubs? His first public appearance will be at the Minnesota State Fair next week. He's scheduled to visit the Wild tent on August 26 from 2 to 3 p.m., August 28 from 10 to 11 a.m., and August 30 from 10 to 11 a.m.
He'll attend most Wild home games and some practices.
Coco's Heart Dog Rescue rescues and fosters dogs to help them find their forever homes. Based out of the Twin Cities, the rescue operates primarily on volunteers. All dogs live in foster homes and require a meet and greet before adoption. You can find more information on the adoption process on their website.
