Natural Balance Pet Foods and Paula Abdul Team Up to Support Guide Dogs at Ceremony
Los Angeles, CA, April 08, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Paula Abdul hosted a Guide Dog Graduation Ceremony at the Guide Dogs of the Desert facility in Palm Springs, California on Sunday, April 5th at 2 p.m. At the ceremony, seven U.S.Veterans received their guide dogs after having completed a training course.
Paula, along with Natural Balance Pet Foods, Petco and independent pet stores across the country, are teaming up to raise funds and awareness in support of guide dogs during National Guide Dog Month in May. This is the first event to help kick off the month, which several states including New York, California, Illinois and Connecticut, have officially declared as National Guide Dog Month, with others expected to follow shortly.
“The independence and mobility that a guide dog can bring to a blind person is immeasurable,” said Paula. “Seeing how vital these guide dogs are, and learning how much time and energy goes into training just one dog, is awe-inspiring! As an animal lover, it’s my honor to help raise awareness for these invaluable organizations who give so much help to the blind. I hope everyone will contribute to this program.”
Dick Van Patten of Natural Balance Pet Foods said “Having Paula Abdul, a huge animal lover, as our spokesperson will help us get the message out to raise money for those who are visually impaired and in desperate need of these amazing guide dogs.”
Among the servicemen receiving guide dogs at the ceremony were:
SPC David Fisher RET Branch of Service: Army
David served in the Vietnam War. David was attached to Charlie Company 709 Maintenance Division. David will be getting Eugene, a male golden retriever.
SGT Timothy Richardson, RET Branch of Service: Army
Timothy served during the Vietnam War. Timothy was with a construction battalion assigned to the Corp of Engineers. Timothy will be getting Waldo, a male Labrador / poodle cross.
MSGT Ruth Schumaker, RET Branch of Service: Marines
Ruth served during WWII, Korea and Vietnam, and will be getting Pearl, a female Labrador/ golden retriever cross. Pearl was named for the crew of the USS Pearl Harbor, who have volunteered their time at Guide Dogs of the Desert.
SGT Douglas Cereghin Branch of service: Active Army
Douglas served in both the Persian Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom and is active in the Army serving at Fort Bragg. Douglas is a combat medic and combat engineer. Douglas will be getting Zihn, a male golden retriever Labrador cross.
MSG Dexter Durrante Branch of service: Active Army
Dexter served in both the Persian Gulf War and Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan.
Dexter is a Combat Engineer, and currently serves at Fort Bragg. Dexter will be getting Shepard (Shep) a black and tan Labrador retriever.
CPL William English, RET Branch of Service: Marines
William served in the Vietnam war and drove an anti tank vehicle for the 3rd Marine Division.
William will be learning Orientation and Mobility and life skills training for the blind from a state certified O&M specialist which is a prerequisite to getting a guide dog.
PFC Dennis Olp, RET Branch of Service: Army
Dennis served in the Persian Gulf War, and is a sighted paraplegic. Dennis was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Air Defense Artillery. Dennis will be getting Cleveland, who will be his wheelchair service dog and a part of the Heroes helping Heroes therapy program. Dennis and Cleveland will visit VA hospitals. Cleveland was named in honor of the crew of the USS Cleveland, who have volunteered their time at Guide Dogs of the Desert.
About Natural Balance:
Since 1989, Dick Van Patten and his partner Joey Herrick have been supplying the public with premium quality dog and cat foods. Today Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc has grown into an international company providing pet foods throughout the United States, Canada, The Pacific Rim and Europe. The Natural Balance ultra premium line of pet foods for dog and cats, includes:
Ultra Premium Dry and Canned Dog and Cat food, Dog Food Rolls in 3 varieties: Lamb, Beef and Turkey, Treats for Dogs, Organic Dog Food, Allergy Formulas, Eatables for dogs, gourmet canned dog foods made in a USDA approved plant that makes food for people, and Zoological Formulas made for lions, tigers, cheetahs, polar bears, snakes and carnivorous birds. Natural Balance is headquartered in Pacoima, CA and is available at PETCO and local independent pet stores. More information is available at www.naturalbalance.net
About PETCO:
PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. We operate more than 950 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at www.petco.com. Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $49 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support approximately 5,700 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.
About Guide Dogs of the Desert:
Guide Dogs of the Desert’s mission is to improve the lives of the blind by creating opportunities for life-changing independence, and by conducting community outreach and education programs. They pride themselves on the fact that they are a very small school where family environment, small class size and individualized attention is a priority.There are five facets to the guide dog program: breeding, puppy raising, formal training, on-campus training and post graduate support. Since its inception in 1972, they have graduated more than 1,000 student/dog teams.
Press Contacts:
For Natural Balance: Daniel Bernstein 310-915-0404
For Paula Abdul: Jeff Ballard 818-501-0889
For Guide Dogs of the Desert: Kim Laidlaw 760-329-6257
For PETCO: Lisa Epstein 858-453-7845 ext. 2558
###
Paula, along with Natural Balance Pet Foods, Petco and independent pet stores across the country, are teaming up to raise funds and awareness in support of guide dogs during National Guide Dog Month in May. This is the first event to help kick off the month, which several states including New York, California, Illinois and Connecticut, have officially declared as National Guide Dog Month, with others expected to follow shortly.
“The independence and mobility that a guide dog can bring to a blind person is immeasurable,” said Paula. “Seeing how vital these guide dogs are, and learning how much time and energy goes into training just one dog, is awe-inspiring! As an animal lover, it’s my honor to help raise awareness for these invaluable organizations who give so much help to the blind. I hope everyone will contribute to this program.”
Dick Van Patten of Natural Balance Pet Foods said “Having Paula Abdul, a huge animal lover, as our spokesperson will help us get the message out to raise money for those who are visually impaired and in desperate need of these amazing guide dogs.”
Among the servicemen receiving guide dogs at the ceremony were:
SPC David Fisher RET Branch of Service: Army
David served in the Vietnam War. David was attached to Charlie Company 709 Maintenance Division. David will be getting Eugene, a male golden retriever.
SGT Timothy Richardson, RET Branch of Service: Army
Timothy served during the Vietnam War. Timothy was with a construction battalion assigned to the Corp of Engineers. Timothy will be getting Waldo, a male Labrador / poodle cross.
MSGT Ruth Schumaker, RET Branch of Service: Marines
Ruth served during WWII, Korea and Vietnam, and will be getting Pearl, a female Labrador/ golden retriever cross. Pearl was named for the crew of the USS Pearl Harbor, who have volunteered their time at Guide Dogs of the Desert.
SGT Douglas Cereghin Branch of service: Active Army
Douglas served in both the Persian Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom and is active in the Army serving at Fort Bragg. Douglas is a combat medic and combat engineer. Douglas will be getting Zihn, a male golden retriever Labrador cross.
MSG Dexter Durrante Branch of service: Active Army
Dexter served in both the Persian Gulf War and Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan.
Dexter is a Combat Engineer, and currently serves at Fort Bragg. Dexter will be getting Shepard (Shep) a black and tan Labrador retriever.
CPL William English, RET Branch of Service: Marines
William served in the Vietnam war and drove an anti tank vehicle for the 3rd Marine Division.
William will be learning Orientation and Mobility and life skills training for the blind from a state certified O&M specialist which is a prerequisite to getting a guide dog.
PFC Dennis Olp, RET Branch of Service: Army
Dennis served in the Persian Gulf War, and is a sighted paraplegic. Dennis was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Air Defense Artillery. Dennis will be getting Cleveland, who will be his wheelchair service dog and a part of the Heroes helping Heroes therapy program. Dennis and Cleveland will visit VA hospitals. Cleveland was named in honor of the crew of the USS Cleveland, who have volunteered their time at Guide Dogs of the Desert.
About Natural Balance:
Since 1989, Dick Van Patten and his partner Joey Herrick have been supplying the public with premium quality dog and cat foods. Today Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc has grown into an international company providing pet foods throughout the United States, Canada, The Pacific Rim and Europe. The Natural Balance ultra premium line of pet foods for dog and cats, includes:
Ultra Premium Dry and Canned Dog and Cat food, Dog Food Rolls in 3 varieties: Lamb, Beef and Turkey, Treats for Dogs, Organic Dog Food, Allergy Formulas, Eatables for dogs, gourmet canned dog foods made in a USDA approved plant that makes food for people, and Zoological Formulas made for lions, tigers, cheetahs, polar bears, snakes and carnivorous birds. Natural Balance is headquartered in Pacoima, CA and is available at PETCO and local independent pet stores. More information is available at www.naturalbalance.net
About PETCO:
PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. We operate more than 950 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at www.petco.com. Our nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $49 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support approximately 5,700 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.
About Guide Dogs of the Desert:
Guide Dogs of the Desert’s mission is to improve the lives of the blind by creating opportunities for life-changing independence, and by conducting community outreach and education programs. They pride themselves on the fact that they are a very small school where family environment, small class size and individualized attention is a priority.There are five facets to the guide dog program: breeding, puppy raising, formal training, on-campus training and post graduate support. Since its inception in 1972, they have graduated more than 1,000 student/dog teams.
Press Contacts:
For Natural Balance: Daniel Bernstein 310-915-0404
For Paula Abdul: Jeff Ballard 818-501-0889
For Guide Dogs of the Desert: Kim Laidlaw 760-329-6257
For PETCO: Lisa Epstein 858-453-7845 ext. 2558
###
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