Freshpet Delivers 'Farm To Fridge' Meals Benefitting Thousands Of Service Dogs

Donation to Support K9s for Veterans Service Dogs, Aimed to Help U.S. Military Veterans Return to Civilian Life

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Nov 09, 2018, 10:34 ET

SECAUCUS, N.J., Nov. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Supporting the well-being of dogs and cats everywhere, Freshpet® Inc., the first maker of real, all-natural, fresh food for pets in the U.S., lends a helping paw by donating 7,000 meals to K9s for Veterans, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to pair trained service dogs with war veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as they transition back into civilian life. The donation will help feed thousands of dogs, ensuring they maintain optimal energy and overall health to serve those heroes who have dedicated their lives to serving our country.

Freshpet® Inc., the first maker of real, all-natural, fresh food for pets in the U.S., lends a helping paw by donating 7,000 meals to K9s for Veterans, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to pair trained service dogs with war veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as they transition back into civilian life. The donation will help feed thousands of dogs, ensuring they maintain optimal energy and overall health to serve those heroes.

K9s for Veterans exclusively sources their service dogs from kill shelters, helping play a positive role in today's rescue pet population. There is more work to be done to promote the positive role that shelter dogs can play either as service animals or domestic companions because, according to a national study* commissioned by Freshpet, only 30 percent of dog owners have adopted their furry family member from a shelter.

"We are committed to supporting struggling veterans who need help transitioning into civilian life and part of that is providing them with service dogs so they get the help they need," said Michael Tellerino, founder of K9s for Veterans. "The generosity shown by Freshpet will help countless dogs feel and perform at their best to further enhance the lives of veterans everywhere."

"We prepare Freshpet meals in a way that reflects the 'family member' status they have in our lives, and our goal is helping them achieve all the health benefits and personal satisfaction we feel when eating healthy," said Jake Trainor, director of marketing at Freshpet. "We're devoted to doing everything we can to improving the lives of these service dogs in their selfless work assisting veterans."

Freshpet's commitment to K9s for Veterans was inspired by the loving memory of US Marine Corps veteran Sergeant Taker, a black Labrador who was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as a bomb detection dog for roadside bombs and other explosives. Over his many years of service which began in 2009, K-9 Taker saved the lives of countless U.S. soldiers in combat over the course of two wars while overcoming his own challenges including post-traumatic stress and a number of physical injuries. After retiring from the military, he has continued to put others first by serving as a therapy dog and improving the lives of those who needed it most.

The donated Freshpet Select Grain Free Chicken meals are made with 100 percent natural US farm-raised chicken accented with antioxidant-rich carrots and spinach to create the right nutritional balance. This recipe is also great for dogs with grain allergies and sensitive skin, coat, or stomach.

At Freshpet, the magic starts with the fresh, whole ingredients used in its Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, kitchens, where every meal is made from scratch. Freshpet gently steams its foods so the ingredients retain their natural goodness and provide the essential nutrients dogs and cats need for boundless energy and healthy lives. There are never any preservatives, which is why Freshpet meals are found in more than 19,000 of its refrigerators across the United States, Canada and the United Kington in grocery, pet specialty and natural food stores.

To learn more or locate your nearest Freshpet retailer, please visit Freshpet.com.

*Online survey conducted by Kelton Global to 1,024 American dog owners ages 18 and over, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.

About Freshpet®
Freshpet® has a single-minded mission – to improve the lives of dogs and cats everywhere through the power of fresh, natural food. We make our fresh refrigerated foods at our Freshpet® Kitchens, where we thoughtfully prepare our recipes and gently cook them in small batches at lower temperatures to preserve key nutrients. That way, your pet gets the best. Freshpet® refrigerated foods and treats are kept cool from the moment they are made until they arrive at Freshpet® fridges in your local market. Our foods are available in select mass, grocery, natural food, club, and pet specialty retailers across the United States, Canada and are currently testing in the United Kingdom. From the care we take to source our ingredients and make our food, to the moment it reaches your home, our integrity, transparency and social responsibility are the way we like to run our business. To learn more, visit www.freshpet.com. Connect with Freshpet on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.

SOURCE Freshpet