Commanders pooch TJ and other canine boosters.
When the Commanders’ season kicks off September 13, fans might notice a new furry teammate: TJ, a lab puppy who recently became the team’s official dog. Here’s a look at some canines cheering on our sports teams. Read the full story in the Washingtonian here.
The Washington Commanders have added a new member to the team, and he is the cutest rookie on the roster.
TJ, a Labrador Retriever, joined the Commanders in June as the team’s newest team dog. The puppy will spend the upcoming season around the players and coaches, attending team events and select home games while continuing his training to become a service dog for veterans. Read the full story from Montgomery Community Media here.
Hi, I’m TJ.
You may have seen me on television, at media day or posing for my first official Washington Commanders photo shoot. Humans keep telling me Aug. 7, Military Appreciation Day at the Commanders Training Camp, is a big one. My raiser even added a little paw print to her calendar, so it must be true! Not bad for a puppy.
But while I may be the Washington Commanders’ newest Team Dog, football isn’t my only mission.
I get to learn new things every day because I’m on my way to becoming a Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) service dog for a Veteran. That means learning good manners, building confidence and practicing the skills I’ll one day use to help someone who has served our country.
Barney was WCC’s first Team Dog with the Commanders, so I know I have some pretty big pawprints to fill—and I’ll do my best to follow in them.
My name has a special story, too. I’m named after Army Veteran and Redwire employee Jeremy White, whose military call sign was “TJ1.” Jeremy spent more than two decades serving our country, including as a Green Beret, before continuing his commitment to service as a civilian. I hope to honor that legacy in my own way.
At home, my puppy raisers, Heidi and Stu, describe me in one word: exuberant. They might also tell you I’m curious, brave, energetic, snuggly, smart and very food motivated. (Treats make learning fun.) They’d also tell you I love football.
Training has been going really well. I don’t mean to wag my own tail, but while some pups get rattled by loud noises, I snoozed through an entire night of Fourth of July fireworks like a champ. Storms? No big deal. Every new experience helps me grow into the service dog I’m meant to become.
Heidi and Stu tell me they know their hearts will ache when it’s time for me to leave. But they’ve been on this journey before, and they’ve seen the incredible difference a service dog can make in a Veteran’s life. That’s what keeps them saying “yes,” because they know a little heartbreak now can help bring healing to someone else. Until then, we’re making the most of every day together. Between you and me, I couldn’t have asked for better paw-rents.
I’m already three times bigger than when I arrived, and I’m growing every day, not just in size, but in confidence and purpose. (My paws seem to be growing even faster!)
This season, you’ll see me cheering on the Burgundy & Gold, making appearances and soaking up new experiences. Every game, every crowd and every new adventure is helping prepare me for the most important role of all: becoming a future service dog for a Veteran.
Now that’s a season worth cheering for.
###
WASHINGTON – The Commanders, in partnership with Redwire, have welcomed to the team TJ, a 12-week-old Labrador retriever.
The yellow Lab is from Warrior Canine Connection, a Maryland nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering those who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in service. Read the full story on Fox 5 Washington DC here.
TJ, a 12-week-old yellow Lab, will spend the season with the Commanders before fetching a bigger purpose as a service dog for veterans.
ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders may have already found an early contender for rookie of the year and this one is expected to make a “pawsitive” impact on and off the field.
The team announced Thursday that TJ, a 12-week-old yellow Labrador Retriever, is joining the organization as its newest, furriest rookie. He’ll spend the upcoming season with the Burgundy and Gold while working on his basic skills and commands before eventually becoming a service dog for veterans. Check out the full story from WUSA9 here.
The Washington Commanders are starting the season on a paw-sitive note with the announcement of their new team dog, TJ.
TJ, a 12-week-old yellow Labrador retriever puppy, is joining the team to work on becoming a service dog, according to a press release. Read the full story in the Washington Examiner here.
Yellow lab “TJ” will spend the season with the Commanders before becoming a service dog for veterans
Washington, DC – Today, the Washington Commanders, with help from partner Redwire (N YSE: RDW), welcome their newest, furriest member to the organization. TJ, a 12-week-old yellow Labrador Retriever puppy, will spend the upcoming season with the Burgundy & Gold while he works on his basic skills and commands in training to become a service dog for veterans.
TJ joins the team through the Commanders’ partnership with Redwire (NYSE: RDW), founded on a shared commitment to honoring service members, veterans, and their families. Together, the organizations will collaborate on year-round programming to recognize the sacrifices of those who have served our country.
The team dog program serves as a military engagement effort both through TJ’s
ongoing service dog training and his name, which honors the call sign of Army Veteran and Redwire employee Jeremy White.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For digital assets of TJ, including photos with Jeremy White, click here. Credit can be attributed to the Washington Commanders.
The team dog’s name is inspired by Jeremy White, Sr. Program Manager at Redwire, whose military call sign was “TJ1”. A former Green Beret and decorated veteran whose life reflects a deep commitment to service, Jeremy spent more than 21 years in the U.S. Army, enlisting after September 11, 2001. His career
included roles with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and the Fifth Special Forces Group – designations reserved for the most capable and dedicated soldiers. Across deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria, he bravely led missions and guided his teams through challenging environments, earning recognition s such as Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Best Warrior. He
later served internationally as a liaison officer with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense in Cyprus. Following his military career, Jeremy has continued his service as a civilian, supporting disaster relief and community initiatives.
TJ is a yellow Lab from Warrior Canine Connection, a Maryland nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering those who have sustained physical and psychological wounds while in service to our country through their Warriors helping Warriors philosophy. Through their Mission Based Trauma
Recovery program, service members and veterans in recovery can learn to train service dogs, creating a therapeutic environment while preparing animals to support fellow veterans. As he continues his training, TJ’s experiences with the Commanders will help prepare him for his future role as a service
dog.
Fans can expect to see TJ cheering on the Commanders at numerous events throughout the season, including training camp and select home games . He will also join the team for several community activations with a focus on military engagements, providing meaningful moments of connection with service members, veterans, and fans.
###
Warrior Canine Connection
is a 501(c)(3)
Nonprofit Organization
# 45-2981579