Natural Balance® Pet Specialty Food Brand Teams up with Paralympian in Honor of National Guide Dog Month
Premium pet food brand has donated $6 million to guide dog schools throughout North America
ORRVILLE, Ohio, Sept. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As a longtime supporter of guide dog schools and founder of National Guide Dog Month, the Natural Balance® pet specialty food brand knows that the unique journey guide dog teams embark on deserves to be celebrated. To shine a light on one of these remarkable stories, the Natural Balance pet specialty food brand is working with vision-impaired alpine skier and three-time Paralympic Bronze Medalist, Danelle Umstead.
At age 13, Danelle Umstead was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a retinal degenerative disease that eventually causes complete blindness. Danelle did not let this obstacle stop her from pursuing her passion. She became a professional skier, with her husband Rob as a sighted guide. When she isn't on the slopes, Danelle works with her guide dog Aziza, a five-year-old Labrador Retriever from Guide Dogs for the Blind, to help her navigate safely – whether she is crossing the street, traveling across the world or training for her next big competition.
"My relationship with Aziza is truly special. There is a lot of trust, teamwork and respect required to work with a guide dog," said Umstead. "I feed Aziza Natural Balance pet specialty food to help maintain her optimal performance and reliability, so I'm excited to work with the brand to share our story during National Guide Dog Month."
Natural Balance pet specialty food brand has donated $6 million in dog food and resources to guide dog schools to-date, including its longstanding partner Guide Dogs for the Blind. The non-profit organization is the largest guide dog school in North America and aims to empower lives by creating exceptional partnerships between people, dogs and communities.
"Natural Balance pet specialty food brand believes that life with your dog is a privileged and rewarding journey and the relationship between guide dogs and their partner is a true testament to this," said Maribeth Burns, Vice President of Corporate Communications at The J. M. Smucker Company. "Our commitment to guide dogs started when the brand's co-founder, Dick Van Patten visited a local guide dog school. After learning about the costs, dedication and commitment needed to raise and train guide dogs, he was inspired to support the cause."
To learn more, visit NaturalBalanceinc.com/GuideDogs. Natural Balance pet specialty food will also be sharing guide dog stories on Facebook and Instagram throughout the month of September.
About The J.M. Smucker Company
For 120 years, The J.M. Smucker Company has been committed to offering consumers quality products that bring families together to share memorable meals and moments. Today, Smucker is a leading marketer and manufacturer of consumer food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America. In consumer foods and beverages, its brands include Smucker's®, Folgers®, Jif®, Dunkin' Donuts®, Crisco®, Pillsbury®, R.W. Knudsen Family®, Hungry Jack®, Café Bustelo®, Martha White®, truRoots®, Sahale Snacks®, Robin Hood®, and Bick's®. In pet food and pet snacks, its brands include Meow Mix®, Milk-Bone®, Kibbles 'n Bits®, Natural Balance®, and 9Lives®. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth, and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago. For more information about the Company, visit jmsmucker.com.
The J.M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for the following, which are used under license: Pillsbury® is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, LLC and Dunkin' Donuts® is a registered trademark of DD IP Holder LLC.
Dunkin' Donuts® brand is licensed to The J.M. Smucker Company for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, and drug stores. This information does not pertain to Dunkin' Donuts® coffee or other products for sale in Dunkin' Donuts® restaurants.
About Guide Dogs for the Blind
Guide Dogs for the Blind is more than an industry-leading guide dog school; it is a passionate community that serves the visually impaired. With exceptional client services and a robust network of trainers, puppy raisers, donors, and volunteers, GDB prepares highly-qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind or have low vision. All of its services are provided free of charge. GDB receives no government funding. This year marks GDB's 75th anniversary, and more than 14,000 guide teams have graduated since its founding in 1942. For more information about GDB, visit www.guidedogs.com.
SOURCE J.M. Smucker Company
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