Nationals to add team dog to roster, ask fans for naming help

Man’s best friend is coming to Nationals Park — and not just at the team’s half-dozen “Pups in the Park” nights. The Nationals announced Monday that they’d welcome a team dog to the roster as it undergoes basic training and socialization to become a service animal.

The franchise is asking fans to help pick out a name. The team-designated options are Cherry, Monty, Natty and Tater. Supporters can vote for their preferred name before Thursday. 

“We are excited to be part of this puppy’s impactful journey to becoming a service dog, and we know our team, fans, community and ballpark will offer a wonderful training environment,” Jason Sinnarajah, the Nationals president of business operations, said in a news release. 

The dog is being trained by the Canine Companions nonprofit with financial backing from dog nutrition brand Eukanuba. 

For the next year and a half, the puppy will spend time in the Nationals clubhouse and around the stadium to prepare for its next career as a service dog. Canine Companions will then connect the freshly trained and socialized pup with a person in need. 

“We are grateful to the Washington Nationals for partnering with Canine Companions to raise a future service dog, and to our national corporate partner Eukanuba for this generous commitment,” Jeanine Konopelski, chief marketing officer at Canine Companions, said in a statement. “By adding this new teammate to the Nationals roster, they are helping us meet the growing national need for highly trained service dogs.”

The Nationals will officially introduce the dog during the season, after it receives its fan-designated name.

• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.