Penguins Treat Four-Legged Fans to Game

The Penguins welcomed seven service and adoption dogs to PPG Paints Arena on Saturday night for their contest against the Boston Bruins.
The special guest dogs and their owners were given a red carpet entrance prior to puck drop. The "Puppy Party Suite," sponsored by Rachael Ray Nutrish, a signature brand of Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, gave pets and their owners a night to remember as they were able to watch the game from one of PPG Paints Arena's large party suites.

"We were really excited to do something like this; what better way to mash up the two worlds," said Samantha Bridger, PR director of Ainsworth, describing the quality of this partnership and event between the Penguins and Ainsworth. Thanks to the help of Steve Joyce and Samantha at Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, the Puppy Party Suite was a huge success.
Guests were selected through a social media nomination process with winners being chosen for their heartwarming stories of adoption and service. For instance, "Cuspie," a Brussels Griffon, found a home with Mariana Ortiz after Cuspie was hit by a car and needed emergency surgery.
The Puppy Party Suite had its own version of the "Two-Headed Monster" as Labrador-Husky mix named "Sidney" and a Whippet, "Geno," were in attendance. Jake Holmes rescued Sidney just hours before she was to be euthanized and decided to name her after the first goal scorer of Game 6 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Final. But after Phil Kessel notched the first goal of the game, with a primary assist from Sidney Crosby, Holmes decided Sidney was a much better namesake instead of "Phyllis."
"I would have never imagined this, this is fantastic, this is awesome," said Holmes when asked if he ever thought he'd see a Penguins game with Sidney.

Geno and owner John Avolio have shared a connection since they first met, as Geno ran into John's arms when seeing him for the first time. "He's been an awesome rescue pet ever since that day," said Avolio. Geno is a therapy dog at multiple oncology centers and facilities for the mentally and physically-disabled, and also participates in the Pawsitive Reading Program, where he listens to children reading him stories.
Brendan Garay and his family found a terrier laying under a car trying to keep warm. Garay brought "Kali" into their home and have had the dog since. "Morgan" helped bring happiness back to Lauren Betar and her family after they lost their dog and house in a fire, while "Biscuit" was given a home by Amanda Gribble Surratt following a fire on a Pittsburgh farm that left Biscuit in an unfavorable situation. Kacie Yost gave a home to "Missy" after Missy jumped right into her arms the first time they met.