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Justin Verlander, Kate Upton host event touting dog adoption awareness

Justin Verlander and wife Kate Upton hosted an event for raising awareness for dog adoption.

HOUSTON — Pitcher Justin Verlander and his wife, model Kate Upton, hosted their fourth annual Grand Slam Adoption event before Sunday's baseball game between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park, KHOU reported.

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The couple, who are expecting their first child, promote awareness for local animal adoption agencies, the television station reported.

The couple posed with several puppies up for adoption through the Houston SPCA, The Houston Chronicle reported.

“We both had dogs. It was kind of a non-starter if we didn’t love dogs in our relationship,” Verlander said at a news conference.

“Well we both grew up with dogs. Getting involved with dog rescue was important for both of us,” Upton said. “So combining adoptable dogs and matching them with veterans with suffer from PTSD was a real passion for both of us.”

The money raised this weekend from a silent auction and Sunday's event will be used toward training service animals for veterans, KHOU reported.