Hi, I'm Gill! I'm a service dog in training through Canine Companions sponsored by the San Jose Sharks. I'll be training locally in San Jose until I'll eventually find my forever home just like Finn! Here's a little bit about me, I'm a Labrador Retriever, I love hockey (especially chasing pucks), and I'm a great team-player. I can't wait to see all my new Sharks frens at games this season!

Dear San Jose Sharks,

What a perfect match Finn and I are! A hockey-sponsored Service Dog for a hockey fan!

I can never thank you all enough for your sponsorship of Finn V. Service Dogs from Canine Companions have kept me independent since 1993; Finn is my fourth Service Dog from Canine Companions. I consider myself so fortunate to be the beneficiary of your sponsorship of Finn.

We graduated on August 17, 2021 and have been together for a little over three weeks. He is perfect! Finn grew up attending and participating in the surroundings of the San Jose Sharks (Yea!) and, thanks to that experience, knows not to be skittish in crowded noisy surroundings. I believe this is because of the work you did with him. Thank you.

Finn works and plays unafraid of outside noise or movement. This is so very important to me because he is strong. So strong he could pull me over if a crowd frightened him. Finn is always steady beside me. Thank you.

I look forward to working with Finn for many years. He will enable me to be on my own. I will not have to rely on my husband to drive me somewhere because Finn will be with me to pick up my keys when I drop them. Finn will be able to get items from the bottom shelf in a store for me. Every day, two or three times a day, we clean my office floor of all of the pens that I've dropped that I cannot get. If I forget to put my shoes on the bench at night I no longer worry. Finn is beside me and can retrieve everything I cannot pick up.

Finn. A warm loving puppy with a cold nose who gives so much and asks so little in return. We will love and care for each other for the rest of our days.

Thank you.

The Sharks and Canine Companions for Independence® are excited to introduce the fluffiest addition to the team, which comes in the form of a Yellow Labrador, Finn! One of a litter of 10, Finn was born on May 10, 2019.

Over the next two years, the Sharks will support and follow Finn's journey to become an assistance dog. Along this journey, Canine Companions puppy Finn will be raised in San Jose by a volunteer puppy raiser who will socialize him and teach him about 30 commands to prepare him for life as an assistance dog. You also might catch him sniffing around the Tank during Sharks games and events. After 16-18 months with his volunteer puppy raiser, Finn will come to the Canine Companions Northwest Regional Training Center for 6-9 months of professional training where he'll learn to pick up dropped items, open and close doors, turn on and off lights, and more! At the completion of professional training, Finn will graduate and be united with his new partner for a life full of increased independence and loving companionship.

Canine Companions for Independence provides expertly-trained assistance dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities free of charge, and the San Jose Sharks are excited to partner with this amazing organization!