Purina Dog Chow Launches 'Service Dog Salute' Campaign To Donate Up To $500,000 For Veterans And Service Dogs Through Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation

Campaign Pays Tribute to Armed Forces and the Loyal Dogs that Serve Them

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Jul 09, 2018, 09:00 ET

ST. LOUIS, July 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As a longtime supporter of the U.S. military, Purina Dog Chow knows the impact service dogs can have on the lives of our veterans, providing them with stability and companionship as they readjust to civilian life, as well as helping those with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dog Chow continues its military commitment this summer with the launch of the Dog Chow Service Dog Salute campaign. With the help of dog owners, from now until Veterans Day, Dog Chow will donate up to $500,000 to Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) in support of their veterans program. ARF matches rescue dogs with veterans experiencing PTSD and other challenges and guides the veterans through a ten-month program training the dogs to become their own skilled service companion.

Purina Dog Chow launches 'Service Dog Salute' campaign to donate up to $500,000 for veterans and service dogs through Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation.

From July 4 through November 11, 2018, Dog Chow has partnered with BuzzFeed to help share the powerful stories of courageous veterans and rescue dogs who have been brought together through ARF to enrich each other's lives. Dog lovers are invited to watch the video at DogChow.com/Service, and for each unique video share on Facebook, Dog Chow will donate $1 to ARF's veterans program, up to $250,000. Additionally during these months, the brand will donate five cents to ARF's veterans program with the purchase of every specially marked bag of Dog Chow Complete Adult with Chicken, up to $250,000.

"Dog Chow has long been a supporter of our servicemen and women," said Arik Frankel, Marketing Director for Purina Dog Chow. "Our partnership with ARF reflects our ongoing commitment to helping our American heroes and demonstrating the powerful connection between dogs and their owners."

Dog Chow has a history with strong military roots, including the brand's founding nearly a century ago. When Purina's founder William Danforth returned from volunteering in WWI and created Purina's first dog food in 1926, it was named Dog Chow as a nod to the chow lines that sustained American service members during the war. Over the last 92 years, whether through food donations, monetary donations or the hiring of veterans, Purina and Dog Chow have continued their commitment to honor the men and women who serve in our armed forces.

The donations from the Service Dog Salute campaign will help fund the expansion of ARF's veterans program to reach even more veterans in need. This groundbreaking program engages veterans to train their own rescue-turned-service dogs with the help of a certified trainer at the ARF training facility, turning a leash into a lifeline for both rescue dogs and our nation's veterans.

"Our veterans program changes lives and has already placed more than 600 animals with military families, including 45 potential service dogs in the past year," said Elena Bicker, ARF's executive director. "This generous support from Dog Chow will help us grow our program and continue to help save lives on both ends of the leash."

Specially marked bags of Dog Chow Complete Adult with Chicken are available on shelves at retailers nationwide. For more information about the Dog Chow Service Dog Salute campaign and ways to get involved, visit www.DogChow.com/Service.

About Dog Chow:
Purina Dog Chow is always crafted in the USA and has provided healthy and great-tasting dog foods since 1926. The brand is manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare, which promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness.

About ARF
Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) is an award-winning, nationally recognized leader for its unique mission of "People Rescuing Animals…Animals Rescuing People.®" Founded in 1991, ARF has rescued more than 38,000 cats and dogs and expanded its national outreach and education programs. ARF elevates pets in our society, enhances connections, and transforms the bond between people and animals.

Contact:
Alice Hennessy
Endeavor Global Marketing
212-774-4652
[email protected]

Emily Goldkamp
Nestle Purina PetCare
314-982-1698
[email protected]

SOURCE Purina Dog Chow