Keeping It Heel
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UNC Baseball: Diamond Heels service dog is a hit

By Horran Cameron

May 8, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; A Rawlings baseball, the Official Ball of Major League Baseball, sits on the field before a game between Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; A Rawlings baseball, the Official Ball of Major League Baseball, sits on the field before a game between Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports /
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The University of North Carolina’s baseball team, better known as the “Diamond Heels” have a four-legged member on their roster.

The North Carolina Tar Heels will begin their journey to the College World Series in Omaha as the No. 2 overall seed in the 2017 NCAA Baseball Tournament.

They have a special friend in their dugout for that run.

The four-legged member of the Diamond Heels is none other than a two-year-old golden retriever named Remington or “Remi” for short. Although he cannot play in the games, Remington maintains a significant role for the team.

He is actually a psychiatric medical alert rehabilitation service dog. He is the first medical service dog for the university and the first one in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Remington underwent 80 hours of training and certification before joining the team.

UNC’s head athletic trainer Terri Jo Rucinski has worked with the Tar Heels for 12 years. She believes that Remington’s presence has helped athletes with injuries recover emotionally at a quicker pace.

She even hinted that Remi has played a big role in the Tar Heels recent success. “I’d like to think that he had something to do with it,” Rucinski said.

This statement pertains to Remington’s calming influence with Diamond Heels’ baseball players.

Remington is a jack-of-all-trades. He knows more than 100 commands.

He gives water to umpires, stands with the team and holds a baseball hat or glove during the National Anthem, fist bumps and high fives players and opens refrigerators for players after games and practices.

Remington is on social media, also. He has an Instagram account and Twitter profile. How is that for not teaching an old dog new tricks?

To be honest, Remington is not that old, though.

With his presence, the Tar Heels may quickly become fan favorites to win the College World Series.

If so, credit Remington with his PAW-erful impact because he is one of the MVPs of the Diamond Heels.

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