PetSmart for Patriots Helps Partner Assistance Dogs With Wounded Military Veterans (image: Wikipedia)
SANTA ROSA, CA, August 15 (Korea Bizwire) – Today, Canine Companions for Independence received a generous donation from PetSmart as a result of their joint initiative, PetSmart for Patriots. PetSmart donated more than $125,000 to Canine Companions which came from special patriotic-themed services that were offered in stores nationwide earlier in the summer.
PetSmart for Patriots, which launched earlier this year, is part of Canine Companions’ Wounded Veterans Initiative to help pair assistance dogs with the wounded military veterans who need them. PetSmart presented the check to Canine Companions’ CEO, Corey Hudson, during today’s Canine Companions for Independence graduation ceremony at the QLN Conference Center in Oceanside, CA.
“We are honored to partner with PetSmart on this life-changing initiative,” said Corey Hudson, CEO, Canine Companions for Independence. “Today’s donation from PetSmart and our ongoing collaboration with them enables wounded military veterans to regain a sense of independence and live a better life.”
PetSmart stores nationwide offered special patriotic-themed services packages May 22 through July 6. These services included the Patriotic Top Dog grooming package, Patriotic themed puppy play time pet training service and Patriotic Treat Time for any dogs staying at a PetSmart PetsHotel®. All pets participating in any of the services also received patriotic bandanas or collar charms. $1 from each package sold went to Canine Companions with a total donation of $125,282.
“The patriotic-themed services were another way for PetSmart to be able to say thank you to the brave men and women who serve in our military,” said Bruce Thorn, PetSmart executive vice president of Store Operations, Services and Supply Chain. “The donation that came through these special services will help Canine Companions for Independence provide even more assistance dogs to the wounded veterans who truly need them.”
Since 1992, Canine Companions has placed 104 dogs with military veterans, with the number of dogs placed tripling since 2008. Many of the dogs have been placed with men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and returned with spinal cord injuries, limb amputations and deafness.
About Canine Companions for Independence
Canine Companions for Independence is the largest non-profit provider of trained assistance dogs with five regional training centers across the country. Established in 1975, Canine Companions provides highly trained assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. There is no charge for the dog, its training and on-going follow-up services. For more information, visit cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK.
About PetSmart
PetSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company employs approximately 53,000 associates and operates 1,340 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, 200 in-store PetSmart® PetsHotel® dog and cat boarding facilities and is a leading online provider of pet supplies and pet care information (http://www.petsmart.com). PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products; and offers dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day CampSM day care services and pet adoption services. Through its in-store pet adoption partnership with PetSmart Charities® and PetSmart Charities® of Canada, PetSmart has helped save the lives of more than 5.7 million pets since 1994. PetSmart Charities, Inc. and PetSmart Charities of Canada (collectively “PetSmart Charities”) are independent, nonprofit organizations that save the lives of homeless pets and reduce shelter intake through spay and neuter efforts. In 2013, nearly 440,000 dogs and cats found homes through PetSmart Charities’ adoption centers in all PetSmart stores and by sponsoring community adoption events. PetSmart Charities is the leader in granting money to help pets in need, with more than $34 million given in 2013 throughout North America.
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Source: PetSmart (via Marketwired)
