Petey’s journey to prancing onto Energizer Park’s pitch had been a long time coming.
As he walked alongside St. Louis CITY SC captain Roman Bürki during the festivities before the match against Nashville SC on August 9, the English Labrador Retriever brought a moment of levity to the tense proceedings.
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“It was an instant connection,” says Ken Earley, CITY’s director of community relations. “I think it was a good reminder that even in a non-structured, non-planned environment, just seeing a dog and being able to take a little 30-second break and spark a little bit of joy is super beneficial.”
CITY SC went on to pull off a monumental upset over Nashville, after a nearly month-long winless streak.
In choosing a mascot, CITY SC, Purina, and CHAMP had to find a dog who could stay calm in a range of environments, including the cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells during a Major League Soccer match day. “It was important that Petey was familiar and comfortable in any environment that you put him in,” says Jennifer Wotka, puppy program manager for St. Louis–based CHAMP Assistance Dogs, which trained Petey. “Whether it’s an interview, where we need him to be calm and quiet and relax, or at Energizer Park on match day, where it’s chaotic and loud.”
Wotka has been encouraged by Petey’s progress. ”The thing that made us all the most happy was that his tail was wagging the whole time,” Wotka adds.
Petey’s role goes beyond match days, though. He will support the needs of non-player staff and serve as a general ambassador for service dogs across the community. CITY emphasizes mental and emotional health for its players, employees, and fans; studies have shown that interactions with a dog or pet can lead to reduced cortisol levels, which can help with stress and anxiety.
“We hope that fans will see and interact with Petey and understand how beneficial a healthy relationship with their pets can be in their daily lives,” says Dr. Annie Valuska, principal scientist of Purina’s Pet Behavior team. “Studies show us that socialization with your pets can benefit mental health significantly.”
Petey will also be an important fixture during next month’s Pups at the Park event, when CITY2 welcomes Minnesota United 2 to Energizer Park.
