Through America’s VetDogs Puppy with a Purpose program, the Washington Capitals and its players have helped sponsor four service dogs. Here are some facts about these special dogs whose lives are dedicated to making a difference.
Captain
- The yellow Labrador retriever became the team’s first service dog in 2019.
- Caps captain Alex Ovechkin was the pup’s favorite player.
- Captain became an internet sensation, documenting his journey on his Instagram account, @capspup.
- He is now working as a service dog for retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Mark Gwathmey (pictured above). Captain can open doors, respond to seizures, and retrieve dropped items.
Biscuit
- Biscuit’s best friend on the Caps was Tom Wilson.
- His training, which started in 2021, included learning to retrieve dropped items.
- An adorable stuffed animal made to look like Biscuit was sold in part to benefit America’s VetDogs.
- The chocolate Lab lives in Virginia and works as a facility dog at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Judy
- In 2024, Caps player Nic Dowd and his wife, Paige, sponsored Judy through their community program, Dowd’s Crowd.
- Judy’s name represents the nickname given to Dowd by his teammates.
- Her favorite treat is carrots.
- Judy is trained to mitigate PTSD symptoms, and she now assists a U.S. Army veteran in Minnesota, Dowd’s home state during the off-season.
Ovi
- The black Lab was named after Ovechkin — who’s also the pup’s favorite player — in honor of the captain becoming the all-time goal scorer in NHL history.
- His favorite snacks include lamb and liver dog treats.
- The puppy is currently learning basic obedience, good house manners, and crate training.
- Ovi is being raised in Virginia to become a service dog for a veteran or first responder with disabilities.
Feature image of Ovi courtesy Washington Capitals
This story originally ran in our January issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
