Meet Sarah and Bob Zagaja

Sarah and Bob Zagaja, together with their three children have been volunteering with America’s Vet Dog (AVD) and its sister organization, the Guide Dog Foundation (GDF) since 2011. They have raised several pups and provided a home to two breeder dogs. Sarah shared that in 2009, her family lost their home in a devastating fire but the generous outpouring of support and empathy from their community following the fire was life-changing. “We  were profoundly changed by the kindness that came pouring in, to such a degree that when we were back on our feet again we were driven to pay the kindness forward.” After some research they decided to put their efforts into helping others by raising life-changing guide and service dogs. 


“Puppy-raising has brought us so much joy and fulfillment that I decided to write a children’s picture book about the first puppy we raised for GDF entitled, ‘Raising Betty’.” Betty just recently retired from guiding her wonderful person across many miles in New York City. Sarah hopes that her book will inspire others to get involved and volunteer.


At home, Sarah and Bob have one dog, named Fenway. Fenway was an AVD dog who was slated to go to a veteran struggling with PTSD but had a change-of-career and is now bringing joy to all she meets as a certified therapy dog.


“We are HUGE Mets fans and we are beyond excited to start this new journey with the MetsVetDog 3.0. We are honored to be raising the third dog sponsored by the Amazing Mets Foundation and look forward to making new friendships with all of MetsVetDog 3.0’s new fans. Each puppy we have raised has their own story to tell and we can’t wait to learn MetsVetDog 3.0’s story! Hopefully this cute guy will raise awareness of these life-changing heroes and the important jobs they perform.



Hello Mets fans! My name is Buddy 

As the THIRD Puppy With a Purpose to be raised with the New York Mets, I am so excited to follow in my friend Shea and Seaver's pawprints at Citi Field! on this new journey! For the next 16 months, you can see me at Mets home games and community events as a part of my training to become a well-rounded future service dog. Shea and Seaver have told me so much about my new teammates and the cool Mets fans and I cannot wait to meet everyone this season at Citi Field and show off all the skills I am learning that will one day help a Veteran or First Responder with disabilities. Be sure to catch me on my Instagram and Twitter accounts, @metsvetdog.

America’s VetDogs Partners with Amazin’ Mets Foundation to Raise Third Future Service Dog

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 1, 2024 (Smithtown, NY) - America’s VetDogs, a New York-based national nonprofit that provides specially trained service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities, and the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the New York Mets, are thrilled to announce they will co-raise a future service dog for a United States veteran or first responder with disabilities. The Amazin’ Mets Foundation has funded $150,000 in grants to America’s VetDogs to date.
 
The New York Mets were the first-ever MLB team to raise a future service dog with America’s VetDogs. The newest Amazin’ Mets Foundation Pup is a handsome 11-week-old, male, yellow Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever Mix, who will undergo basic training and socialization with the Amazin’ Mets Foundation staff and the New York Mets players and fans for the next 14 to 16 months. The pup will have a home in the Mets front office and attend select events at Citi Field to expose him to various environments that will help mold him into a confident and calm future service dog. Fans can follow the pup on Instagram, X, and TikTok at @MetsVetDog to stay up to date on his training and community appearances.

“The Amazin’ Mets Foundation’s goal is to make a positive impact in people’s lives, and our partnership with America’s VetDogs is just one of the many ways we’re able to achieve that goal,” said Alex Cohen, President of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation and New York Mets Owner. “Service dogs bring hope, joy and companionship to our veterans and first responders, and we are thrilled to continue to provide these life changing experiences.”

Fans will have a chance to help name the new Mets Vet Dog by voting for their preferred name via a poll on the @Mets X account. Voting is now open, and the winning name will be announced at Citi Field on Thursday, May 2 as the Mets take on the Chicago Cubs at 1:10 p.m. ET.
"America’s VetDogs is proud to continue working with Alex Cohen and the Amazin’ Mets Foundation in raising another future service dog," said John Miller, president & CEO of America’s VetDogs. "Over the past several seasons, the Mets organization has consistently shown their unwavering commitment to supporting veterans and first responders in this truly unique way. The new puppy will undoubtedly become a cherished member of both the team and front office, and we are excited to watch the newest MetsVetDog begin this journey.”
For more on America’s VetDogs and ways to get involved, visit VetDogs.org.