BUFFALO, N.Y. — When the Buffalo Sabres first introduced the fanbase to their newest team dog Blue, everyone quickly fell in love with the 14-week-old St. Bernard Mastiff mix.
Blue first joined the Sabres in October of 2023 as a part of the 'Pawsitive for Heroes' program. Through that program, Blue would go on to complete 10 months of service dog training at the Niagara County Sheriff's facility.
In a press release from the Buffalo Sabres, they were happy to share that Blue has since then completed her service dog hours and found herself a furever family.
"Kristofer Bystrak was overcome with emotions as he exited the Niagara County Correctional Facility last Tuesday after his new service dog Blue, the Sabres team dog for the 2023-24 season, graduated from Pawsitive for Heroes, a national program led by WNY Heroes which provides service dogs to veterans across the nation who have a military service-related disability." the Sabres shared in their press release.
Blue's new owner Kristofer Bystrak had returned from a deployment in Afghanistan in 2012 and was chosen for Blue by WNY Heroes.
“I’m able to get out with my family and just, like, finally be the dad that I want to be and be the husband that I want to be and be able to experience stuff with my family that I wouldn’t be able to experience without her,” Bystrak said.
“I am able to go places that I normally couldn’t because of my PTSD. I am able to go out with my family again and enjoy myself and not have to be stressed out and kind of isolate myself in my home. She definitely gave me a second chance with my family, and I am just extremely grateful for that.”
Read the full press release by clicking here.
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