In Foxborough, something special is taking shape - and it’s not just the Patriots’ improbable run to the AFC Championship under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel. While New England eyes its first Super Bowl berth in the post-Belichick era, there’s another movement quietly gaining momentum off the field. It’s called the “Pawtriots,” and it’s changing lives - both human and canine.
Launched by Dana Kraft, wife of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, the Pawtriots initiative connects shelter dogs with forever homes. The program kicked off on the first day of training camp last July, and it hasn’t looked back since.
That very first practice under Vrabel? It ended with about 40 dogs adopted.
Fans came out to watch the team - and left with new furry family members. Even rookie kicker Andy Borregales got in on the action.
Vrabel himself brought two dogs to the podium during his press conference, setting the tone for what this initiative would represent: heart, community, and a whole lot of wagging tails.
Since then, dozens more dogs have found homes, and the program has become a surprising - yet fitting - symbol of the cultural shift happening inside Gillette Stadium.
“When Vrabel was starting, I felt that this was the time to launch it because there was such a changing culture,” Dana Kraft said. “He has instituted such a fraternity or brotherhood; everybody at Gillette is shown respect.
You can see when the players play how they really play for him. I wanted to capitalize on this moment.”
And capitalize she did. The Pawtriots initiative, backed by the New England Patriots Foundation and a growing list of shelter partners, has sparked a wave of interest across the region. According to Kraft, shelters reported a significant spike in website traffic in the days and weeks following the program’s launch - a clear sign that this wasn’t just a feel-good story, but a movement with real traction.
The inspiration behind it all? A four-year-old Portuguese Water Dog named Heisman, gifted to Robert Kraft in 2021. The joy Heisman brought to the Kraft household lit the spark for the Pawtriots initiative - a way to spread that same joy to families throughout New England.
“Everything is obviously a bit on edge in the Kraft household right now,” Dana said, referring to the playoff push. “There is a lot of excitement, but it is always very grounding … like when Robert comes in the door, and the dog is waiting with his squeaky toy, it just changes the whole tone of things.”
But this isn’t just about pets - it’s about purpose. The Krafts now have their sights set on expanding the program nationally, with a focus on pairing adoptable dogs with military veterans. Robert Kraft spoke about the mission on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Tail Waggin’ Tuesday” segment, revealing a sobering stat: 22 veterans die by suicide each day in the U.S.
“These are people who have dedicated their lives … for our country,” he said. “We owe them that.”
To meet that need, the Pawtriots have partnered with Operation Delta Dog, a New Hampshire nonprofit that trains shelter dogs to become service animals for veterans. According to Dana Kraft, the organization has a “tremendous waiting list,” highlighting the urgent demand for this kind of support.
The Krafts are also exploring a collaboration with Big Dog Ranch Rescue - the nation’s largest cage-free, no-kill shelter - to build a satellite facility near Patriot Place that would focus on training and placing service dogs with veterans.
“There is clearly a greater need in the New England area to help people with emotional health issues, and in particular, veterans,” Dana said. “We thought this was a very natural fit.”
The ripple effect is already being felt. The Animal Rescue League of Boston has seen a noticeable boost thanks to the initiative.
Seven dogs featured on “Tail Waggin’ Tuesday” have been adopted within days of their appearances, according to ARL president and CEO Edward Schettino. One of the recent stars?
Clyde, a 4-month-old pit bull mix who stole hearts last week wearing a homemade “I love Drake Maye” t-shirt. He’s since been neutered and is ready for adoption.
The ARL also received 25,000 meals from a food drive held during the Patriots’ Week 18 game, helping feed more than 200 dogs. It’s just one of several ways the Pawtriots have been a game-changer for shelters across the region.
Schettino recalled a visit from five Patriots players to the ARL’s Dedham facility last summer, and the impact was immediate. “As soon as the dogs came into the room, it changed everything,” he said. “These gigantic men melted.”
And that’s the magic of it. In a season full of unexpected turns - a new coach, a deep playoff run, a team rediscovering its identity - the Pawtriots have become a symbol of something deeper.
A reminder that football, at its best, is about community. About connection.
About lifting each other up - whether it’s a teammate, a veteran, or a dog in need of a second chance.
As the Patriots prepare for their biggest game of the season, the work off the field continues. And if Dana Kraft has her way, this is just the beginning.