Maxy’s First Year
Colorado Avalanche Team Dog Maxy’s First Year as an FSD Service Dog In Training
On Dec. 18, 2024, in partnership with the Colorado Avalanche, Kroenke Sports Charities (KSC), and Goodheart Animal Health Centers, Freedom Service Dogs (FSD) welcomed the first-ever Colorado Avalanche Team Dog, Maxy—a black Labrador retriever who is training to become a service dog for someone in need.
After an incredible first year as the Colorado Avalanche Team Dog and an FSD Service Dog in training, we capped off 2025 with a bang by celebrating Maxy’s first birthday with Avs Faithful and the FSD community at the “Maxy’s Birthday Bash” Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets game on Dec. 19, 2025. Let’s take a look back at Maxy’s PAWsome first year!
November 2024 – We’re Expecting!
FSD and the Colorado Avalanche announced that their first-ever team dog would be born in December to FSD parents Lyra and Kingston (who later graduated as an FSD Service Dog for an individual with mobility challenges).
December 18, 2024 – A Star is Born
Maxy was born in the FSD nursery with her four sisters, weighing just 16 ounces.
From day one, Maxy began receiving critical socialization and gentle body handling from FSD staff and volunteers. During her first eight weeks in the nursery, this early care helped lay the foundation for a future caterer as a calm, confident assistance dog.
January 2025 – Named After a Legend
The Colorado Avalanche invited Avs Faithful to vote on the name of their first team dog, and “Maxy” won by a blizzard.
Her name honors beloved late Avs color analyst Peter McNab, affectionately known as “Maxy.” His legacy of kindness and impact lives on as Maxy trains to become a life-changing FSD Service Dog.
January 2025 – Swagged Out
Just days after turning 1-month-old, Maxy received her very first Colorado Avalanche jersey—marking her official debut as the tiniest member of the Avs on social media.
February 2025 – Raise a Puppy, Change a Life
At 8-weeks-old, Maxy graduated from the FSD nursery and began the next phase of her training with a volunteer puppy raiser.
Living in a home environment, Maxy started learning basic skills and gained valuable exposure to new people, places, and everyday experiences. This fostered a baseline of good behaviors that helped prepare her for advanced service dog training.
Did you know you can raise an FSD puppy with a purpose just like Maxy? FSD is always in need of more generous people to help us raise the next generation of future Freedom Service Dog superstars. Email us at [email protected] or call 303-922-6231 to start your puppy raising journey today!
February 19, 2025 – Meet the Team
The Colorado Avalanche players were surprised with an extra furry visitor in the locker room after practice when they met Maxy for the first time! While she waited for the players to arrive, she also showed off her new skills: sitting and settling calmly. At just 9-weeks-old, she was already an A+ student!
The players have played a big role in helping Maxy gain exposure to the sights, sounds, and the high energy of a hockey and in-arena environment, which fosters confidence and focus building.
April 10, 2025 – Maxy’s First Game
Maxy attended her first Colorado Avalanche game at Ball Arena, marking a major milestone in her socialization and time as the Colorado Avalanche Team Dog! Before puck drop, she visited the Peter McNab Broadcast Booth for a meaningful full-circle moment with McNab’s friends and co-broadcasters, connecting her name, her purpose, and her growing role as the team dog.
April 25, 2025 – The Fast & The Furriest
Maxy made a special appearance with her uncle Bernie (the Colorado Avalanche mascot) at FSD’s annual gala, Diamonds in the Ruff: The Fast & The Furriest, greeting supporters, promoting mini Maxy plush sales for the auction, and helping shine a spotlight on FSD’s mission. She even got to hang out with the evening’s featured FSD team, Miles and Ravioli!
Interested in joining us at this year’s Diamonds in the Ruff: Bark to the Future? Get tickets HERE!
June 1, 2025 – Maxy On Ice
Maxy kicked off the beginning of summer with the Colorado Avalanche’s annual Paint the Ice event at Ball Arena, where she painted her name and paw prints on the ice with her pals at Goodheart Animal Health Centers.
June 2025 – Little Miss Goodheart
Our celebrity puppy visited Goodheart Animal Health Centers for her six-month checkup and her first official veterinary appointment with FSD Board Member and Goodheart Medical Director, Dr. Alex. Robb.
Positive early veterinary experiences help prepare service dogs in training like Maxy to remain relaxed and confident during medical exams throughout their lives.
June 2025 – Go Sports!
To show her support for people with disabilities, accessibility, and inclusion, Maxy joined Kroenke Sports Charities and Special Olympics Colorado at Kroenke Youth Sports Day. She even got to see a few familiar faces, including Avs Defenseman Devon Toews and FSD graduates Miles and Ravioli!
July 2025 – Swinging for a Cause
On a rainy summer day in Colorado, Maxy and her puppy raiser went to bat for the mission of Freedom Service Dogs at UCHealth’s Swing for a Cause Charity Home Run Derby, which benefited the mission of FSD.
Despite the main event being cancelled due to rainy weather, Maxy, along with FSD staff, volunteers, and clients, still had the opportunity to represent FSD, chat with the local celebrities who came for the event, and stay for the check presentation. Maxy even got to meet national influencer, Taylor Calmus, also known as Dude Dad!
Thank you, UCHealth!
September 2025 – Flying High
Maxy took another big step in becoming a service dog by taking her first airplane trip to Philadelphia and New Jersey, where she attended the Fetch the Ball Golf Tournament hosted annually by our pals at AnnieMac Home Mortgage to benefit the mission of FSD. Thanks, AnnieMac!
She navigated busy airports, learned to settle on the flights to and from Denver, learned how to ride comfortably in a golf cart, practiced manners in fancy restaurants with FSD staff and client teams, and explored Downtown Philadelphia and the iconic Reading Terminal Market amongst all the hustle and bustle. She also flexed her patriotic muscles by visiting the historic Liberty Bell and the building where the United States Constitution was signed.
September 2025 – First Puck Drop
Maxy joined Kroenke Sports Charities at the Battle of the Badges hockey game in Ball Arena to honor Colorado’s first responders.
She performed a ceremonial puck drop alongside her puppy raiser and Avs’ Defenseman, Devon Toews, showing skills she needs as a service dog, such as picking up and carrying items.
October 2025 – Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Maxy was thrilled to kick off the beginning of the 2025-2026 NHL season at the “Girls Hockey Night” game. She helped make pre-game friendship bracelets, posed for pics with youth fans at Bernie’s Dog Park, and cheered on her favorite team as they took home the win against the Boston Bruins! Go, Avs, go!
October 2025 – Opening Ceremony
Maxy and her brother, FSD Service Dog in training Ralphie, celebrated the grand opening of a new Goodheart Animal Health Center location!
November 11, 2025 – Honoring Heroes
On Veterans Day, Maxy attended the Colorado Avalanche Military Appreciation Night game to honor the courage and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes. At the game, she welcomed the Avs players as they entered Ball Arena for game night and helped bring awareness to the Military Auction, which raised proceeds to support the mission of FSD.
Maxy was joined by FSD teams, U.S. Air Force veteran Josh and FSD Service Dog Champion and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jeremy and his FSD Service Dog, Scooby, to share the powerful impact service dogs have in the lives of veterans living with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, or other service-related injuries.
December 11, 2025 – Oh Christmas Tree
As a part of the Avs Better Halves and Kroenke Sports Charities annual holiday tree auction, FSD donated a Maxy themed tree. Maxy worked hard to help decorate it with unique Maxy ornaments, mini Maxy plushies, a paw print ornament kit, a signed Devon Toews hockey stick, a one-of-a-kind Maxy original painting, and other FSD swag!
A special thank you to everyone who bid on Maxy’s tree, which benefited the mission of FSD and helped support Maxy on her path to becoming an FSD Service Dog.
December 18, 2025 – The Big Number One
After a full year of excitement with the Colorado Avalanche and Freedom Service Dogs, Maxy celebrated her first birthday, complete with balloons, streamers, and all her closest friends!
December 19, 2025 – Happy Birthday, Maxy
In honor of Maxy’s first birthday, Maxy attended the Colorado Avalanche game on December 19 vs the Winnipeg Jets. The game, which hosted over 18,000 excited fans, featured a “Maxy’s Birthday Bash” theme.
Maxy appeared on the pre-game show on Altitude TV, made multiple jumbotron appearances, got special birthday wishes from a few of her favorite Avs players, and completed an interview with Ball Arena host, Rachel Tos, after the first period. A few hundred lucky fans also received a special Maxy birthday poster that was illustrated by a local artist. The best part of the night, however, was when the entire arena paused to sing Maxy “Happy Birthday” as Bernie presented her with a delicious peanut butter flavored, dog-safe cake. It was truly a night to remember!
Support Maxy On Her Journey
Maxy’s first year as the Colorado Avalanche Team Dog and an FSD Service Dog in training was filled with milestones that have helped shape her into the confident dog she is today. We are so grateful for all the incredible supporters and partners who have cheered her on along the way and we can’t wait for what’s to come for our little superstar this next year!
You can support Maxy on the rest of her journey to becoming a life-changing assistance dog by giving a gift of any amount to her scholarship fund, which helps cover the cost of the high-quality training, care, and supplies she needs to graduate and change a life.
Keep up with all things Maxy by following Freedom Service Dogs on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X!
A special thank you to the Colorado Avalanche, Kroenke Sports Charities, and Goodheart Animal Health Centers for your incredible support of Maxy and the mission of Freedom Service Dogs! An additional thank you to Kroenke photographer, Michael Moto for the incredible photos!
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Published 1/22/2026
Contact Erin Conley at [email protected] for all media inquiries.