PHOTOS: Future service dog Scout moves in to Capital One Arena

Capital One Arena and Monumental Sports & Entertainment welcomed home a future service dog today. Scout, an 8-week old labrador with America’s VetDogs joined the MSE family which includes Captain - the Washington Capitals hockey team's future service dog. 

Both Captain and Scout are from America's VetDogs, a non-profit that has been training and placing service dogs with veterans with disabilities since 2003. 

“America’s VetDogs is thrilled to join forces with Monumental Sports & Entertainment with this program to raise a future service dog for a veteran or first responder with disabilities,” said John Miller, president & CEO, America’s VetDogs. “We are thankful to the entire MSE organization for supporting the VetDogs mission but also for joining our dedicated group of volunteer puppy raisers to provide Scout with a unique and enriching environment that will ultimately mold him into a confident and well-socialized service dog.” 

For the next 14 to 16 months, Scout will be raised by MSE Chairman & CEO Ted Leonsis and his wife Lynn. 

“The tremendous joy we get from welcoming Scout to our Monumental family for his training will only be surpassed by the love we will send with him as he becomes a qualified companion to a veteran or first responder with disabilities,” said Monica Dixon, president, external affairs and chief administrative officer at MSE. “We are grateful to America’s VetDogs for this incredibly meaningful program and are pleased to support their important work.”

After that period, Scout will return to New York where he will begin his advanced training with a certified service dog instructor through America’s VetDogs before being placed with a veteran. 

But until then see Scout at Washington Capitals home games and other events at Capital One Arena. 

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