First NFL stadium dog park opens at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville

The countdown to the first Jacksonville Jaguars preseason game is on!

With just three days left until they take on the New Orleans Saints, fans are getting excited... but they won't be the only ones getting the chance to enjoy TIAA Bank Field.

On Thursday, the very first dog park in a NFL stadium will open to pet owners.

Action News Jax Courtney Cole shows us how they're making the dog days of summer cool again, and how Jags fans who are pet owners can get access.

Pet Paradise Park is set to be the hottest ticket in town for anything that can bark.

The first dog park inside an NFL stadium is located on the south end zone patio of TIAA Bank Field.

It includes a large turf area, bone-shaped swimming pool, veterinary services and pet suites.

Fernando Acosta-Rua, the president and CEO of Pet Paradise, said he can't wait for people -- and pets -- to experience this on Thursday.

"This is really, really exciting after, gosh, eight to 10 months we’ve been talking about it. To actually see it up here and see Pet Paradise up on the scoreboards ready to go,” said Acosta-Rua.

Dog owner and Pet Paradise employee Caitlin Gebert says it's the perfect way to help keep your pets cool during the game.

“It’s been amazing. As soon as we walked in Bowden ran, jumped in the pool,” said Gebert.

Dogs who come to Pet Paradise will arguably have the best seat in the house, and if you want to bring your dog you'll have to register, first.

"You can go to Jaguars.com/petparadise and enter a sweepstakes to win. So that’ll be 10 winners that come from that and also the Jacksonville Humane Society has an auction where people can register and bid to win.

There is also a chance you can get access to the dog park by becoming a Jaguars season ticket holder.

“This is something that’s going to be a lot of fun, but also raise awareness for great causes in our community. Every dollar we raise is going to charity,” Acosta-Rua told Action News Jax.

Game day walk-ups will not be permitted access to Pet Paradise Park.

All dogs will also be required to have up-to-date vaccinations and take a temperament test.

Pet Paradise Park will welcome 250 dogs during the NFL season and about 20 dogs per game.

Click here to learn more: https://www.jaguars.com/petparadise

Visit Jacksonville Humane Society to bid on one of five game day pet packages for every Jaguars home game: Jaxhumane.org/bid

Cox Media Group