Puppy with a Purpose 6.0: Islanders Team Up with America’s VetDogs to Raise Sixth Puppy

Welcome a new puppy to Isles Nation!

The New York Islanders and America’s VetDogs are partnering to raise a future service dog as the sixth installment of the Puppy with a Purpose™️ program. The precious nine-week-old yellow lab needs your help to find a perfect name!

The naming contest, sponsored by PetMeds, gives fans the opportunity to cast their vote to name the pup, following in the lineage of previous puppies Radar, Tori, Monte, Jethro and Butchie.

Voting is open now through Oct. 28^th. VOTE HERE.

The Islanders and America's VetDogs teamed up to create the ninth edition of the Pucks and Paws calendar for 2026, sponsored by PedMeds, featuring players and pups for every month including the newest puppy with a purpose™️. The calendar will go on sale Thanksgiving week and proceeds will benefit America's VetDogs.

The Islanders’ newest furry friend will embark on a 14-18 month training process before graduating to become a full-fledged service dog where he'll help a veteran or first responder. It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train and place one service dog, but all VetDogs services are provided at no cost to the recipient.

Keep an eye out for the new pup at Islanders home games at UBS Arena and follow along on the Islanders social media channels, @nyislespup on Instagram and supported by Nulo Pet Food.

Butchie, the most recent Puppy with a Purpose in partnership with the Guide Dog Foundation, is rounding out his formal training after he was introduced in Oct. 2024. He will be trotting around UBS Arena on Thursday before he heads off to formal training where he’ll eventually be paired with someone who is blind or has low vision. Fans can follow Butchie’s journey on social media.