Washington, D.C. – September 24, 2026 -- CACI International will donate $250 to America's VetDogs for every blocked shot recorded by the Washington Capitals this NHL season, a partnership projected to fund training for up to eight service dogs annually based on the team's average of roughly 1,300 blocked shots per season.
CACI names retired Lt. Gen. Mike Shields as program ambassador
Shields, a CACI Senior Vice President and 30-year Army veteran, will serve as the public face of the Good Dogs for Great Americans initiative, which operates under the broader CACI On Defense activation with the Capitals.
Donations target veterans with disabilities, PTSD, and sensory loss
America's VetDogs will use the funds to train and place service dogs with veterans and first responders facing physical disabilities, post-traumatic stress, and hearing or vision loss. Each placement is provided free of charge to recipients, though the organization states it costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place a single assistance dog.
Capitals owner Monumental Sports commits to multi-year visibility push
Patrick Duffy, Chief Partnership Officer at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said the program gives the organization a platform to build "lasting impact for years to come" for the veteran community. Fan-facing elements will include in-arena features, broadcast integrations, social media content, and community storytelling tied to blocked-shot totals throughout the season.
Nonprofit cites 20-year track record placing guide and service dogs
America's VetDogs, a 501(c)(3) founded by the Guide Dog Foundation, has operated for more than two decades and expanded to serve first responders in 2015. CEO John Miller said the CACI partnership will help the organization "reach more veterans who can benefit from these extraordinary partnerships."