Welcome to the CITY SC family, Petey! St. Louis CITY SC and Purina introduced Petey, a 2-year-old English Labrador Retriever and a trained and certified facility dog, as the first-ever CITY team pet. Petey was trained by local nonprofit CHAMP Assistance Dogs and will serve as an ambassador for CITY SC in the community as well as provide wellbeing support to CITY SC players, coaches, front-office staff, supporters and fans.
CITY SC, Purina and CHAMP officially welcomed Petey to the CITY family by “signing” to the team via a ceremonial paw print and jersey presentation from CITY SC players João Klauss and Simon Becher to make it official.
Petey was one of seven dogs in the running to become the team pet. CHAMP, with the consultation of Purina pet experts, selected Petey because of his easygoing nature and ability to adapt to large groups and crowds. Friendly with a ‘calm under pressure’ demeanor, Petey loves naptime and playtime, and being around people. He’s always happy and well suited to handle the energy and electricity of CITY home matches as well as the various tasks he’ll support through club and community activities.
As part of his role with the club, Petey will become part of matchday traditions at Energizer Park, join the players in day-to-day activities from training to recovery, spread joy to the front office staff and the sporting department, and represent a positive beacon for fans. Petey will support of coaches, players and staff across CITY SC – from the first team to Academy teams and front office personnel. Certified facility dogs can help reduce stress and anxiety, decrease feelings of loneliness, isolation and depression, and even lower blood pressure. Petey will also make appearances at community outreach events and continue CITY SC’s mission to be an exceptional club and neighbor.
Petey will make his Energizer Park debut as team pet tomorrow night, Saturday, August 9, when CITY SC takes on Nashville SC at 7:30 p.m. The team pet journey is highlighted in the four-part documentary series “TEAM PET” now available on CITY SC’s YouTube channel. Episode three will be released on Wednesday, August 13.
