JANUARY 2022 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 49
NEW YORK ISLANDERS HOCKEY CLUB
MONTE THE GUIDE PUP
BY SHEYLA TORRES
The New York Islanders Hockey Club will
be raising their third dog for the Guide
Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. Puppy
with a Purpose program. The foundation
trains puppies to become guides and
service dogs to those who need them.
This year’s puppy is Monte, a black Labrador
retriever that the team presented
in their Pucks and Paws Calendar this
season. In past years, the Islanders
have raised a puppy named Radar
and another named Tori, both names
inspired by past Islanders leaders. Both
puppies have undergone training and
have become guide dogs.
Back in 2018, the Islanders announced
that Radar would be their sponsored
pup. After his training, Radar was
placed as a guide dog for blind Paralympian
swimmer Anastasia Pagonis. The
following year the Islanders raised Tori,
who was placed with Chris Roberto, a
retired U.S. Navy Veteran and New York
City Fire Department lieutenant.
Fans voted to name the puppy Monte,
which pays tribute to the Islanders’ new
home, the UBS Arena. The new arena
is in Belmont Park, which has been the
Islanders’ new home since November.
The Islanders have also dedicated the
profi ts from their fi ft h Pucks and Paws
Calendar to the Guide Dog Foundation;
the calendar is supported by Canidae pet
food. Calendars are sold online and at the
Islanders’ Pro Shop at the UBS Arena.
Much of the support the Foundation
receives on Long Island comes from
its partnership with the Islanders. Last
year (2021) was the 75th anniversary
of the Guide Dog Foundation, which
continues to work to provide assistance
dogs to those who need them, at no cost.
According to the Guide Dog Foundation’s
offi cial website, the cost to train and place
dogs as assistance dogs is $50,000.
Monte will be spending weeks with
the Islanders to get basic
training and socialization.
Fans can continue
to see Monte on
the Isles’ Instagram
page (@nyislespup)
before he heads
back to a facility
in Smithtown.
There
this pup
will continue
his
training
to help
individuals
who
a r e
blind or
v isual ly
impaired.
Broadway Comes to Babylon!
Monte is a black
Labrador retriever
that the New York
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Islanders are
sponsoring to
become a guide
dog. (Courtesy @
nyislespup on
Instagram)
B
ran t he a.hich lso e ted d t and he undation,rovide d e t gs continue
isually
Courtesy
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