Utah Mammoth Unveil New Puppy Who Will Become a Service Dog
An 8-week-old black Labrador named Bryce will spend 14 to 18 months in Utah before training to assist a veteran or first responder.
By Aiko Petrov ·
The Utah Mammoth have added a new member to their roster: an 8-week-old black Labrador retriever named Bryce. He is the team's second Puppy with a Purpose, a program run in partnership with America’s VetDogs.
Bryce will remain in Utah for the next 14 to 18 months. During this period, he will live with Mammoth staff and interact with players and fans. This socialization phase prepares him for formal training at the America’s VetDogs campus in Smithtown, New York.
After completing his education, Bryce will be matched with a disabled veteran, active-duty service member, or first responder. The organization provides these support animals at no cost to the recipients. Bryce takes his name from Bryce Canyon, one of the five national parks located in Utah.
He follows in the footsteps of Archie, the team’s first Puppy with a Purpose. Archie was named after Arches National Park and served as a fan favorite during the Mammoth’s first two seasons. He has since finished his training and returned to Utah to be paired with a local individual.
John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs, noted that seeing Archie work as a service dog is a powerful reminder of the program's importance. Miller expressed gratitude to the Mammoth and America First Credit Union for their support of the mission.
Players met Bryce during a video shoot before the team’s Eastern Conference road trip. The social media team placed the puppy in a box labeled "Do not look inside this box." Team captain Clayton Keller, a known dog lover, scooped the puppy out and brought him to the locker room to play with teammates.
Fans can meet Bryce at select home games and events. His public debut is scheduled for the Nov. 12 game against the St. Louis Blues, which marks Military Appreciation Night. The cost to breed, raise, train, and place each service dog exceeds $50,000, a sum covered by corporate and individual funding.
