Bo with Boston Bruins and Boston Bruins Foundation Leadership Bob Sweeney and Charlie
Jacobs. Jacobs. Also included CST
Trainer Da’Von Patterson and Puppy Raiser Christina.

By MICHAEL CRUCIOTTI

When Bo, a golden retriever with an eager expression and a wagging tail, walked into TD Garden in Boston for the first time, he was stepping into a moment that would help shape his future—and the future of a veteran he has yet to meet.

Alongside Canine Support Teams (CST) trainer, Da’Von Patterson, Bo visited the leadership team of the Boston Bruins and the Boston Bruins Foundation for a special meet-and-greet that was far more than a photo-op. It was the beginning of a partnership rooted in heart, purpose, and a shared commitment to those who have served our country.

Bo may not be ready for the starting lineup just yet, but on this day, he made an impression that reached far beyond the rink.

A Meeting Built on Mission, Not Ceremony

This wasn’t the moment Bo would be officially matched with a veteran—that life-changing day is still ahead. Instead, this gathering was about something foundational: Connection.

The Boston Bruins and Boston Bruins Foundation leadership team welcomed Bo and Patterson with genuine warmth. They knelt down to meet Bo at his level, asked questions about his training, and listened closely as CST shared the impact of their PAWZ for Wounded Vets program.

For CST, this was an opportunity to introduce Bo, to share the depth of work that goes into training each service dog, and to build understanding with an organization that truly wants to make a difference.

For the Bruins, it was a chance to see firsthand what their support can bring to life.

PAWZ for Wounded Vets: Healing the Invisible Wounds of Service

For veterans returning home with PTSD, mobility challenges, traumatic brain injuries, and emotional scars that are rarely visible, CST’s PAWZ for Wounded Vets program offers something powerful: A trained, attentive, life-changing partner at their side—at no cost to the veteran.

These dogs retrieve items, interrupt panic attacks, guide veterans through overwhelming environments, and provide grounding during moments of trauma. But their greatest impact is often emotional:

They restore confidence.
They rebuild independence.
They help veterans believe in their own strength again.

As CST board member and Marine Corp. veteran Jeff Papows often emphasizes, “These dogs don’t just assist, they give veterans their lives back.”

For Bo, that future is beginning to take shape.

The Bruins Step Up: A Commitment Born from Community

The Boston Bruins and the Boston Bruins Foundation have long been pillars of generosity in New England. But their support of CST represents something deeply personal: a commitment to improving the life of a Boston-area veteran through the gift of a service dog.

During the meet-and-greet, it was clear the organization wasn’t just fulfilling a community obligation. They were fully present—listening, engaging, asking how they could be part of the veteran’s journey.

Their involvement ensures that a local veteran will soon be matched with a CST service dog, giving them the steady presence, protection, and emotional support that many veterans say becomes nothing short of a lifeline.

For the Bruins, the partnership reflects who they are: leaders not just on the ice, but in the lives of the people they serve.

Shared Values Across Ice and Arena: Ties to the Equestrian World

This partnership also highlights the remarkable intersections between the hockey and equestrian communities—two worlds that share the same spirit of discipline, compassion, and teamwork.

Papows, a lifelong equestrian, chairman of the Kevin Babington Foundation and a board member of CST, has long championed causes that bridge sport and service. His leadership with CST and the equestrian community underscores how deeply he believes in supporting those who dedicate their lives to others.

Joining him in this effort is Charlie Jacobs, both an international show jumper and an executive with the Boston Bruins and Delaware North. Jacobs’ dual roles in professional hockey and elite equestrian sport make him a natural connector between these two arenas of athletic excellence and philanthropy.

Together, their shared commitment to service, sportsmanship, and giving back has helped bring CST’s mission to a wider stage—one where compassion, whether in the ring or on the rink, continues to make a lasting difference.

The People Behind Bo’s Journey

Bo’s path to TD Garden—and ultimately to a veteran—has been shaped by an extraordinary community of people whose dedication has guided every step of his development:

Christina and Stephen, Bo’s devoted puppy raisers, provided him with structure, patience, and love during his earliest and most formative months. Puppy raisers play a vital role in every CST dog’s journey—introducing basic obedience, nurturing good manners, and most importantly, ensuring extensive socialization by exposing the dog to a wide range of environments, people, and experiences. Christina and Stephen continued working with Bo daily, reinforcing his training, supporting his growth, and helping him build the confidence essential for a successful future as a service dog.

Natalie Schwartz, Bo’s breeder with #QuiviraGoldens, has been a valued and long-time supporter of CST, having provided many exceptional dogs that have gone on to serve within the CST program. When Bo’s placement with a puppy raiser was briefly delayed, Natalie graciously kept him during that interim period, ensuring he was well cared for until he transitioned to Christina and Stephen. Her true skill lies in identifying and breeding dogs with the intelligence, temperament, and heart suited for service work, a gift that continues to strengthen the CST mission.

Patterson, Bo’s professional trainer, has since built upon that foundation, guiding Bo through advanced obedience, task training, and specialized service-dog preparation as part of the PAWZ for Wounded Vets program.

And now, the Boston Bruins join this remarkable circle of care helping propel Bo toward his ultimate purpose: standing beside a veteran who needs him.

A Partnership Just Beginning

As Bo posed with the Bruins leadership team, soaking up attention and melting hearts, the significance of the moment settled in:

This was the first step of a partnership that will change a veteran’s life.

There will be another day further down Bo’s training journey when he is officially placed with his veteran. That day will be emotional, powerful, and unforgettable.

But today?

Today was about connection. Understanding. Heart.

A celebration of generosity and the shared belief that every veteran deserves healing, hope, and a partner who never leaves their side.

Bo may not know it, but thanks to CST, the Boston Bruins, and the many hands that have guided him, he is already on his way to becoming someone’s lifeline.

And that journey began with a simple walk through the doors of TD Garden.