Photo: Discovery+/ Animal Planet/ ‘The Dogist’ Elias Weiss Friedman

01of 10Discovery+/ Animal Planet/ ‘The Dogist’ Elias Weiss FriedmanAs theSuper Bowl 2022draws near, so does the “Big Game” for pet lovers:The Puppy Bowl. Back for its 18th year,the Puppy Bowl will have more rescue dogs than ever before. Over 115 adoptable pooch participants —who are either playing on Team Ruff or Team Fluff — from dozens of U.S. rescues will take to the Puppy Bowl XVIII field on Super Bowl Sunday. Among these dozens of canine competitors are nine special needs puppies, who are ready to show off their skills.Read on to learn more about these inspiring pooch players and their impressive accomplishments ahead of the Puppy Bowl.Don’t forget to tune into the main event to see these dogs in action. Puppy Bowl XVIII will air on February 13, at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on Animal Planet, or animal lovers can stream the three-hour special on discovery+ at the same time.
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Discovery+/ Animal Planet/ ‘The Dogist’ Elias Weiss Friedman

As theSuper Bowl 2022draws near, so does the “Big Game” for pet lovers:The Puppy Bowl. Back for its 18th year,the Puppy Bowl will have more rescue dogs than ever before. Over 115 adoptable pooch participants —who are either playing on Team Ruff or Team Fluff — from dozens of U.S. rescues will take to the Puppy Bowl XVIII field on Super Bowl Sunday. Among these dozens of canine competitors are nine special needs puppies, who are ready to show off their skills.
Read on to learn more about these inspiring pooch players and their impressive accomplishments ahead of the Puppy Bowl.
Don’t forget to tune into the main event to see these dogs in action. Puppy Bowl XVIII will air on February 13, at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on Animal Planet, or animal lovers can stream the three-hour special on discovery+ at the same time.
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Ridley

Rescue:Green Dogs Unleashed
Team:Ruff
03of 10BennyDiscovery+/ Animal Planet/ ‘The Dogist’ Elias Weiss FriedmanRescue:Bosley’s PlaceTeam:FluffA breeder surrendered Benny to Bosley’s Place after realizing the two-week-old puppy had underdeveloped hind legs that would require specialized care. Bosley’s Place, a neonatal rescue orphanage for puppies, had the expertise, time, and compassion that Benny needed to thrive. The rescue consulted with a vet, who diagnosed the pup with an abnormal, inoperable spinal deformity. In response, the vet and rescue worked together to create a care plan for Benny, which ensures the pet gets the most out of life. The dog’s positive attitude and loving personality have already helped him exceed his caretakers' expectations.
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Benny

Rescue:Bosley’s Place
Team:Fluff
A breeder surrendered Benny to Bosley’s Place after realizing the two-week-old puppy had underdeveloped hind legs that would require specialized care. Bosley’s Place, a neonatal rescue orphanage for puppies, had the expertise, time, and compassion that Benny needed to thrive. The rescue consulted with a vet, who diagnosed the pup with an abnormal, inoperable spinal deformity. In response, the vet and rescue worked together to create a care plan for Benny, which ensures the pet gets the most out of life. The dog’s positive attitude and loving personality have already helped him exceed his caretakers' expectations.
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Rescue:Harley’s Haven
05of 10ForrestDiscovery+/ Animal Planet/ ‘The Dogist’ Elias Weiss FriedmanRescue:Brandywine Valley SPCATeam:FluffForrest is a happy, well-loved dog today, but this wasn’t always the case. West Chester, Pennslyvania’s animal protective services team rescued the puppy from a cruelty situation and moved him to Brandywine Valley SPCA. Forrest required immediate veterinary care, including the removal of one of his eyes, due to the abuse he experienced at his former home. The humane law enforcement officer who rescued the dog adopted Forrest after the dog recovered.
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Forrest

Rescue:Brandywine Valley SPCA
Forrest is a happy, well-loved dog today, but this wasn’t always the case. West Chester, Pennslyvania’s animal protective services team rescued the puppy from a cruelty situation and moved him to Brandywine Valley SPCA. Forrest required immediate veterinary care, including the removal of one of his eyes, due to the abuse he experienced at his former home. The humane law enforcement officer who rescued the dog adopted Forrest after the dog recovered.
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Irwin

Rescue:The Sato Project
07of 10BiminiDiscovery+/ Animal Planet/ ‘The Dogist’ Elias Weiss FriedmanRescue:Orange Twins RescueTeam:RuffBimini was rescued as part of a drug raid when she was just over a month old and was placed in foster care. Her foster parent quickly noticed that the pup appeared to have mobility issues. Orange Twins Rescue took Bimini to a neurologist, who diagnosed her with cerebellar hypoplasia (CH). Cerebellar hypoplasia is a neurological condition in which the cerebellum develops to be smaller than usual, and it often affects mobility. With the support of her rescue and foster family, Bimini has learned to get around with ease on her own and only shows minor CH symptoms.
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Bimini

Rescue:Orange Twins Rescue
Bimini was rescued as part of a drug raid when she was just over a month old and was placed in foster care. Her foster parent quickly noticed that the pup appeared to have mobility issues. Orange Twins Rescue took Bimini to a neurologist, who diagnosed her with cerebellar hypoplasia (CH). Cerebellar hypoplasia is a neurological condition in which the cerebellum develops to be smaller than usual, and it often affects mobility. With the support of her rescue and foster family, Bimini has learned to get around with ease on her own and only shows minor CH symptoms.
08of 10BunnyDiscovery+/ Animal Planet/ ‘The Dogist’ Elias Weiss FriedmanRescue:Green Dogs UnleashedTeam:FluffBunny is hard of hearing, but she doesn’t let that slow her down. She is a happy, outgoing, capable pup who is sure to impress on the Puppy Bowl field.
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Bunny

Bunny is hard of hearing, but she doesn’t let that slow her down. She is a happy, outgoing, capable pup who is sure to impress on the Puppy Bowl field.
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Pongo

10of 10RocketDiscovery+/ Animal Planet/ ‘The Dogist’ Elias Weiss FriedmanRescue:Double J Dog RanchTeam:FluffRocket is deaf and visually impaired, but that hasn’t stopped him from fulfilling his dreams. The dog is not only playing in Puppy Bowl 2022 — but he has also found a forever home on a lake, where he enjoys goofing around with his human and canine siblings.
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Rocket

Rescue:Double J Dog Ranch
Rocket is deaf and visually impaired, but that hasn’t stopped him from fulfilling his dreams. The dog is not only playing in Puppy Bowl 2022 — but he has also found a forever home on a lake, where he enjoys goofing around with his human and canine siblings.
source: people.com