“Ruff Ride” 24-Hour Indoor Cycling Event Returns to NYC to Empower Veterans & First Responders with Disabilities Through the Power of Service Dogs

Fundraising Event Brings Military Community, Veterans, First Responders, Supporters, and Dog Lovers Together in New York City Around a Life-Changing Mission

Smithtown, N.Y., Aug. 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- America’s VetDogs, a New York-based national nonprofit that provides accredited, custom-trained service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities, and Team Foster, a nonprofit that fundraises to provide accredited, life-saving service dogs to injured and disabled veterans, is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for Ruff Ride New York City 2027, a high‑energy, 24‑hours stationary cycling relay set for April 17-18, 2027, at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory (216 Fort Washington Ave, Manhattan).

Over the course of 24-hours, teams and solo riders will push their endurance limits in support of life‑saving service dogs for U.S. veterans and first responders with disabilities. Every pedal stroke funds the care, training, and placement of these vital companions. Individuals and teams comprised of corporations, community groups and more, are encouraged to participate.

“Highly trained service dogs change and save lives - I’ve seen it happen myself many times,” said Team Foster Chief Executive Officer and Army Veteran, Nick Liermann. “Every day over 20 Veterans die by suicide, often due to military related mental health issues like PTSD, TBI, and MST. This is a glaring failure to those who have sacrificed so much, but we can help save lives with these proven tools. There are limited resources to connect Vets with properly trained service dogs, so Team Foster bridges that gap through events like Ruff Ride New York City.” 

“We’re thrilled to build on the incredible momentum of the inaugural Ruff Ride NYC 2026, as we return for a second year,” said John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs. “Year two gives us an opportunity to expand the impact of this special event and introduce even more people to the life-changing difference a service dog can make on the lives of our country’s and communities’ heroes. We’re grateful to continue our partnership with Team Foster as we raise critical funds and awareness to provide custom trained service dogs to those who have served our country and communities.”

Early registration for Ruff Ride New York is now open online at VetDogs.org/RuffRide.

For more information on America’s VetDogs and its service dog programs, visit VetDogs.org. To learn more about Team Foster, visit TeamFoster.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

About America’s VetDogs
For more than 20 years, America’s VetDogs (www.VetDogs.org) has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all eras. In 2015, VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel.  America’s VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves clients from across the United States. VetDogs relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to help those who have served our country live with dignity and independence. It costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but America’s VetDogs provides its services completely free of charge to the individual. America’s VetDogs has been accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International. 

About Team Foster
Team Foster is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 in honor of U.S. Army Captain Erick Foster after he was killed in action in 2007. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Team Foster’s mission is to support injured and disabled Veterans through the power of accredited, life-saving service dogs. Through funding, education, advocacy and community building, Team Foster positively impacts thousands of Veterans every year. Learn how you can #ShowUp4Vets at TeamFoster.org.

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Jamie Vullo
 America's VetDogs 
304-839-2551
Jamie.Vullo@guidedog.org