Chewy lends a helping paw
Mental skills coach and his dog assist players when things start to get rough
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — On metal bleachers sheltered by palm trees alongside one of the back fields at the Astros’ spring training complex, an observer found his shady perch to take in minorleague practice.
The first-time spring training attendee appeared unbothered by the loud crack of bats making contact with baseballs and disinterested in infield ground ball drills. Or maybe he was taking a nap instead. Hard to tell, with his eyes obscured by reflective goggles and his curly haired head rested on his two front paws.
Oh, we should mention that he’s a dog. Specifically a 7-month-old Goldendoodle named Chewbacca — Chewy, for short — belonging to Justin McKissick, a mental skills coach for the Astros.
McKissick, a licensed clinical therapist, was hired in January by the Astros to work as a mental health and performance provider based in West Palm Beach. He will spend most of his time at rookielevel ball in the Florida Complex League, but during spring training has worked with players and staff from all levels of Houston’s organization. And he doesn’t go anywhere without his service dog and sidekick, Chewy.
Chewy alternately struts and lounges around the complex outfitted in a khaki service dog vest and polarized sunglasses that bear resemblance to the shades worn by ballplayers. “Those UV rays, they get everyone,” McKissick said.
A blue collar around Chewy’s neck proclaims him, “BEST DOG IN THE ENTIRE GALAXY.” Many Astros staffers and players would likely agree.
McKissick has to budget about 10 extra minutes to walk anywhere with his canine companion, because on his way out to observe batting practice or a bullpen session someone is sure to stop and greet Chewy.
“Some people have told me that their day is a little bit better because they see Chewy, and in my line of work that’s a good thing,” McKissick said.
Prior to getting the Astros job, McKissick worked at a private practice in Houston. He was public relations director for a High-A baseball team in California in a past life
but realized during a subsequent five-year stint in the U.S. Army, where he worked in military intelligence, that he wanted to do more to help people in a different way. After his military service, he earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology and dove into his second career, which eventually led him back to baseball.
“I saw the (Astros) job posting and almost didn’t apply because I thought it was almost too perfect, to be honest,” McKissick said. “One of the things I try to stress with anybody is the importance of goals, so when the opportunity came up it was something I had to go for.”
More and more MLB teams these days are employing mental health staffers. The Astros have Laura Ramos as the minor-league coordinator overseeing mental health and performance. At their Dominican academy is sports psychologist Andy Nuñez, whose work has been paramount to starting pitcher Framber Valdez’s career.
The investment in mental health by Astros leadership and players is part of what attracted McKissick, a lifelong baseball fan, to the job.
“This gives me the opportunity to merge two of my passions, baseball and helping people,” he said.
McKissick, a native of Concord, California, was two weeks old when he attended his first baseball game at the Oakland Coliseum. He continued to watch the A’s and played the sport his entire childhood. Now, the oldest of his three children plays travel ball — an environment that served as a testing site for Chewy to get used to the sounds and smells of baseball.
Chewy, a certified service dog, is trained specifically to aid McKissick, who struggles with anxiety. In other words, the pup provides both comfort and a service to McKissick that helps him be at his best to assist others. It doesn’t hurt that Chewy is adorable, either.
“Chewy is good about grounding me, keeping me from getting too wrapped up in stress,” McKissick said. “And who doesn’t love having a dog?”
Throughout his career as a mental health specialist, McKissick’s focus has been on establishing trust and relationships with the people he counsels. Baseball players face similar obstacles under unique circumstances.
“This is on a way bigger stage,” McKissick said. “Most people go through anxiety and pressure, but they don’t have a spotlight on them. Even at the lower levels, these guys have people running around for autographs and interviewing them and calling them all the time. It can be a lot.”
McKissick hopes he can relieve some of that pressure for Astros players and help them unlock their best selves on and off the field. He speaks Spanish from the two years he spent working as a missionary in the Dominican Republic. Inspired by his time in the army, he is also pursuing a doctorate degree with an emphasis in traumatology, the study and treatment of people exposed to highly stressful and traumatic events.
“I say that I’m kind of odd because I like when people tell me horrible things,” McKissick said, “because it’s usually things they don’t tell many people, which means they trust me. I enjoy that feeling. I want to help people, and that all starts with trust.”