ARLINGTON, VA — Paige and Nic Dowd welcomed a fluffy friend to the ice this week for a very good cause. On Thursday, the Capitals announced that Dowd’s Crowd would sponsor a future service dog through training with America’s VetDogs and the Guide Dog Foundation.
The young pup is named Judy, taking her moniker from Dowd’s longtime nickname and love of reality TV’s Judge Judy. She even has a toy gavel to match.
Judy joined the couple at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, spending time with their son Louie and daughter Ruby.
Founded in 2018, Dowd’s Crowd aims to help children with sensory issues. The charity gives children the opportunity to attend Caps games and helped host an adaptive skate earlier this season. To Paige, sponsoring Judy was a logical next step.
“Dowd’s Crowd focuses on sensory needs, and there are a lot of veterans and people who America’s VetDogs and the Guide Dog Foundation support who have things like that,” she told RMNB.
The family already had plenty of familiarity with America’s VetDogs. After seeing the organization train Capitals team dogs Captain and Biscuit, the Dowds worked with them to adopt Haddie, a career change dog, this fall.
“With getting Haddie and being on the waitlist with them for so long, it led to us just brainstorming — and I think [Capitals Director of Fan Development Caroline Potolicchio] came up with the idea,” Paige said. “And it was really, a really great idea.”
Judy will receive special honors during Thursday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. She will then return to her training, splitting time between Massachusetts and DC, until she is ready to find her forever home.
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Here’s the full press release from the Captials:
Nic and Paige Dowd’s Dowd’s Crowd to Sponsor a Future Service Dog in Training With America’s VetDogs
3-Month-Old Black Labrador ‘Judy’ To Be Raised For A Veteran Or First Responder With Disabilities
Arlington, Va. – The Washington Capitals and America’s VetDogs announced today a collaboration through which Capitals forward Nic Dowd and his wife Paige are sponsoring a three-month-old black Labrador future service dog named ‘Judy’ through proceeds raised via their Dowd’s Crowd community program.
“Supporting the community is very important to us, and we’re very grateful to those who have served our country.” said Nic. “Through Dowd’s Crowd, Paige and I are thrilled to sponsor the training of ‘Judy’ with America’s VetDogs, knowing she’ll one day assist a veteran or first responder with independent living.”
“We’re excited to witness ‘Judy’ embark on her journey to becoming a life-changing companion for a deserving veteran,” said Paige. “Having seen the incredible impact America’s VetDogs service dogs have on individuals, we know she’ll provide not only companionship but also vital support for someone with sensory needs.”
Judy will be raised by a volunteer puppy raiser in both the Washington, D.C., area and Boston, Massachusetts, fostering her confidence and composure as she progresses towards her role as a future service dog. Upon completion of her initial training phase, Judy will then return to the America’s VetDogs campus in Smithtown, New York, where she will begin her formal service dog training.
Judy was born on January 15. The Dowds named Judy based upon Nic Dowd’s nickname ‘Judy,’ which was given to Nic by teammates during a game of sewer ball.
Judy will be recognized in game during tonight’s Capitals game versus the Pittsburgh Penguins.
