America’s VetDog’s named a future service dog “Ovi” as a tribute to Alexander Ovechkin’s historic career.
WASHINGTON — There’s a new “Ovi” in town! This one is an 18-week-old black Labrador Retriever. America’s VetDogs, a nonprofit that provides specially trained service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities announced its newest service dog in training is named after legendary Capitals player Alex Ovechkin.
The tribute comes in celebration of Ovechkin’s monumental achievements surpassing the all-time NHL goal record with his 895th career goal and as he became the 23rd player in NHL history to play in 1,500 career games on Saturday.
Ovi the dog is being raised in Virginia by an America’s VetDogs’ volunteer puppy raiser. During the next 14-18 months, Ovi will undergo basic training, learning obedience, good house manners, and the fundamentals of service dog training. At the end of his time with the puppy raiser, Ovi will return to America’s VetDogs campus in New York where he will work with a certified service dog instructor to learn skills to mitigate the disability of a U.S. veteran or a first responder – these skills include retrieving dropped items, nightmare interruption, opening handicap doors, and more.
America’s VetDogs has partnered with the Capitals since 2019, when the two teamed up to raise Captain, a future service dog, through the organization’s Puppy with a Purpose program. Captain was later placed with a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and first responder, marking the beginning of a meaningful collaboration. Since then, the Capitals have remained dedicated supporters, helping to raise a second dog, Biscuit, who now serves as a facility dog at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The two Ovis met last week and Ovi the human gave Ovi the dog his very own Capitals jersey.
“We are honored to name a future service dog ‘Ovi’ in celebration of Alex Ovechkin’s incredible contributions to the sport, but also his legacy of determination and excellence—qualities that mirror the spirit of the life-changing service dogs trained by America’s VetDogs,” said John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs. “We are also incredibly grateful to the Washington Capitals for their continued partnership and deeply value their long-standing support.”