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KING IS HERE

Atlanta United partners with America’s VetDogs to raise second future service dog.

By Atlanta United FC

September 4^th, 2021

Atlanta United announced a new addition to its organization on September 1 that Major League Soccer has called the “best signing of the season.”

King, a 12-week-old Labrador retriever.

The club reached a deal with America’s VetDogs, a New York-based nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to U.S. veterans, active-duty service members and first responders with disabilities. The transaction will bring King to Atlanta for 16-18 months.

King joins Atlanta with his tail wagging, ready to make an immediate impact. As part of his training, he’ll join the club at community events and select home games. The good boy out of Smithtown, New York has already spent quality time at the Training Grounds, getting official photos taken, meeting his new teammates and making friends with the staff.

Michelle Samuels, an Atlanta-based puppy raiser, will train King over the next year. After he completes that stage of training, he'll return to the America’s VetDogs campus in Smithtown, New York for advanced instruction with a certified service dog instructor. When his advanced training is complete, King will be matched and placed with a veteran or first responder with disabilities at no charge to the individual. Funding comes from the generosity of individuals, businesses, and community organizations.

With his name chosen by supporters’ vote held on ATLUTD.com, King is a welcome (and fluffy) addition to the 5-Stripes.

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