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Atlanta United’s Josef Martinez has some competition for title of fan favorite after the team’s latest signing: 12-week-old labrador retriever puppy named Spike.
Named after the “Golden Spike” tradition at home matches, the pup will live with an Atlanta-based volunteer puppy raiser selected by America’s VetDogs. The New York-based nonprofit provides service dogs to U.S. veterans, active service members and first responders. Once training is completed, Spike will be matched and placed with a veteran or first responder with disabilities at no charge to the individual.
Spike is the first service dog to represent a Major League Soccer club.
– Veronica Miller, 360 Media, Inc.