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Nationals’ service dog Natty turns six months old

8/25/2026

26 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Natty Birthday Celebration

Natty the Washington Nationals’ team dog celebrated his birthday at Nationals Park on Tuesday.
The six-month-old lab-retriever mix is training with Canine Companions to become a service dog.
Handlers Jackie Cheshire and a second caretaker coordinate Natty’s schedule and media appearances.
Team officials hope the party’s obedience showcase on the pitcher’s mound will attract fans to the late-August Nats-Rockies game.

Summary

Natty Interview Control

Corporate partnerships, not public-relations staff, control Natty’s interview calendar.
A PR staffer told the author they are not actually in charge of scheduling.
Natty’s media requests must pass through handlers and corporate partners before approval.
Reporters hover near a player’s locker to secure interviews.
Managers such as Blake Butera hold two daily press conferences, before and after games.

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Natty Birthday Celebration

Natty the Washington Nationals’ team dog celebrated his birthday at Nationals Park on Tuesday.
The six-month-old lab-retriever mix is training with Canine Companions to become a service dog.
Handlers Jackie Cheshire and a second caretaker coordinate Natty’s schedule and media appearances.
Team officials hope the party’s obedience showcase on the pitcher’s mound will attract fans to the late-August Nats-Rockies game.

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