ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis Blues announced they have reached an agreement with a very important piece of the historic 2019 Stanley Cup Championship team. They have signed Barlcay to a contract!
Following his graduation on Wednesday afternoon, Barclay will join the team full-time where he will serve as a Duo Dogs Ambassador, marking the first time a dog has joined a professional sports team in such a role. The pup who nearly broke the internet in 2018 when he first joined the team is now a working adult ready to make a difference in the St. Louis community.
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Barclay will serve in a variety of roles as an ambassador, including:
Enterprise Center Calming Dog: Due to crowd size, noise or lights in a loud arena, children and adults with autism, military veterans and other fans can become anxious and often experience anxiety. As the Blues look to make Enterprise Center more inclusive for fans with sensory processing issues, Barclay will be in a safe and calm area where fans can visit to ease anxiety.
Blues Bookworms Reading Program: Barclay will make visits to local grade schools as part of the team's initiative to encourage students to read more books.
Hospital Visits: Like other dogs raised and trained by Duo Dogs, Barclay will join Blues players and Louie, the team mascot, on visits to local children's hospitals
Community Education and Awareness: Through Barclay's community presence, he will bring focus to Duo's mission and teach the community more about the work of Duo's Assistance, Facility and Touch dogs.
Barclay's new role will be celebrated this weekend during Barkin' for the Blues at Enterprise Center when the Blues take on the Ducks on Friday and Sunday. Fans can purchase limited edition Barclay-themed autographed mystery pucks to benefit Duo by visiting stlauthentics.com.
Barclay joined the Blues in the fall of 2018 as part of Duo Dogs' puppy raising program. Members of the Blues' front office helped puppy-raise Barclay for the first 18 months of his life, working with Duo Dogs' trainers to teach basic obedience and socialization skills, along with providing unlimited tummy rubs.
He was crowned the first-ever Stanley Pup Champion when the Blues won the Cup that season.
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