PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A service puppy in training will make his big debut at Tuesday’s Phillies game against the Padres.
Tugger is a yellow labrador retriever. He was born on April 24, just two days before his namesake, 1980 World Series champion and U.S. Marine Corps reservist, Tug McGraw, made his debut with the Phillies.
Tugger is the second Phillies-sponsored service dog trainee. He will spend the next two years working with dozens of veterans receiving treatment for physical and psychological wounds, and learn up to 90 commands.
The goal is to eventually have the pup placed with a veteran in need.
"So over the next two years, Tugger will be trained in multiple capacities for mobility impairment, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries,” said Jennifer Desher, program manager and service dog training instructor for Warrior Canine Connection in the Philadelphia region. The organization breeds, raises, trains and places service dogs for military veterans.
"If somebody is wheelchair bound they can help them pull them up a ramp, they can help them open doors, going to get their leash, or getting their shoes for them, or medication, or a bottle of water out of the fridge, anything to help our veterans to feel a little bit more independent in their every day life, that is what these dogs are there for,” Desher said.
Tugger will be welcomed to the club’s off-the-field roster before Tuesday night’s game at Citizens Bank Park.
“My father loved the Phillies and took immense pride in his service with the United States Marine Corps. The thought that this little pup will one day contribute to enhancing the quality of life for a veteran is truly remarkable. We can never do enough to honor our veterans, and I am certain my father would have felt deeply honored to have Tugger named in his memory,” said Tim McGraw, son of late Phillies reliever Tug.
The first Phillies-sponsored puppy, Major, went through the two-year program and decided he didn't want to be a service dog. He currently lives with a military family.