Phillies Unveil Tugger, Their New Clubhouse Service Pup
Brandon Marsh is no longer the only furry face in the Phillies clubhouse. No, they did not make a trade. This new face walks on 4 legs. Tonight they will…
Brandon Marsh is no longer the only furry face in the Phillies clubhouse. No, they did not make a trade. This new face walks on 4 legs. Tonight they will debut Tugger, a 10-week-old service pup-in-training. He will join the team's off-the-field roster before tonight's game vs the Padres.
A yellow lab, Tugger will work with veterans, as he trains to be a service dog. This sadly means he will not be with us for long, but it is for a very good reason. Tugger will learn how to help veterans with a variety of needs, including detecting anxiety attacks and assisting with any physical disabilities. Once Tugger is done with his training, they will assign him to a veteran, where he can assist that vet with any needs that may arise.
Named After a Phillies Legend
Tuggers' name is in honor of former Phillies closer Tug McGraw. Tuggers' birth came just 2 days after the 50th anniversary of Tug McGraw's Phillies debut. Tug's son, country music star Tim McGraw, is proud to see his dad's legacy live on through Tugger.
“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.”- Tim McGraw per Phillies Press Release
Phillies Work With Service Dogs Like Tugger
Tugger is the 2nd service dog sponsored by the Phillies. You might remember when Major made his Phillies debut a couple of years ago.
“Properly trained service dogs can change and save lives. I’ve seen it myself so many times,” said Nick Liermann, founder and executive director of Team Foster. “But it’s extremely difficult for veterans to get service dogs because there are so few resources available, so we fill that huge gap. The Phillies and Warrior Canine Connection are incredible partners in that mission.”
For now, welcome Tugger to the Phillies family. Hopefully, soon he can graduate and start doing great work as a service dog for a veteran in need.
