Known for his extensive philanthropic efforts, multi-media personality and American Idol mentor, Bobby Bones, is stepping up to the plate to help others once again. This time, Bones is assisting American military veterans through a new partnership with Purina Dog Chow’s second annual “Service Dog Salute” campaign.
According to the National Institute of Health, up to 30 percent of veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when returning home from combat, but only about 40 percent of them seek help. In an effort to ensure our nation’s veterans who may be suffering from PTSD are aware of the vast benefits service dogs can provide, Dog Chow has partnered with Bones on the “Service Dog Salute” campaign.
“I have always known that dogs have the ability to impact lives, but understanding the impact service dogs have on veterans truly blew me away,” Bones shared in a news release. “I am a proud supporter of the men and women who have risked their lives for our country and am honored to be a part of a program that helps connect them to organizations to find the help they need when they come home.”
To raise awareness of the benefits service dogs can offer veterans suffering from PTSD, Dog Chow asked the families of three U.S. military veterans who graduated from Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation’s Pets and Vets program to share letters to their services dogs. Those heartwarming stories can be viewed HERE.
Additionally, for every purchase of a specially-marked bag of Dog Chow Complete Adult now through November 1, Dog Chow will make a donation (up to $100,000) to Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) and their Pets and Vets program. The unique program matches veterans with PTSD and other challenges with rescue dogs. Together, they complete a 10-month training program that assists veterans in training their dog to become their service companion.
“We know that many of our veterans are suffering, and that even our country’s bravest heroes need heroes of their own. For many veterans, that hero is a service dog,” said Kristen Aldenderfer, Senior Brand Manager for Purina Dog Chow. “At Dog Chow, we believe in this unique bond, and we are on a mission to raise awareness of the impact a service dog can have on veterans and those that love them. The donations from this year’s program will go towards the expansion of ARF’s veterans program, ensuring more veterans can get the help that they need.”
To learn more about the “Service Dog Salute” campaign, click HERE.
