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We've Moved! The Planet Dog Foundation office, along with the Planet Dog Corporate Headquarters has moved. Please be sure to update your files. Our new address is:
Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Receives A $10,000 Grant From The Planet Dog Foundation Grant matched a Quality of Life Grant to fund the Paws for Purple Hearts program. Planet Dog Foundation Named Official Outfitter of National Education Assistance Dog Services, NEADS Planet Dog Foundation has been named the
official outfitter of National Education
Assistance Dog Services, NEADS, one of the nation's largest programs that trains dogs to partner with a person to provide independence and companionship by reducing physical and social barriers. PDF and Systems Engineering Support Portland Police K-9s
A recent story in the Portland Press Herald prompted the staff of Systems Engineering, a Portland-based IT solutions firm, to spring in to action. The article detailed the recent unexpected losses in the Portland PD’s canine unit, leaving them underdogs in terms of canine support, and short on the necessary funds to replace those dogs they had to retire. They approached PDF requesting assistance, and we agreed to do a matching contribution to the donations they collected from their staff. The tenacity and generosity of the Systems team led to a $1,750 fundraising drive on their end, which was matched by PDF. The $3,500 will help enable the Portland Police Department to build their canine squad and help protect the officers and the greater Portland community.
Glow for Good Campaign Leads Straight to New Orleans
During the month of October, PDF conducted their first annual Glow for Good Campaign at the Planet Dog Company Store in Portland, ME to raise money for Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO). All proceeds from the sales of the Orbee-Tuff® Glow for Good Ball were donated to ARNO which was formed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and is the last rescue group still helping animals in the affected areas of the city. Kristen Smith, the Executive Director of PDF, traveled to New Orleans not only to deliver a $1,500 donation and Planet Dog collars and toys, but to volunteer for a few days with the no-kill shelter. "ARNO operates on a shoestring budget and must rely on volunteers to do the majority of the daily tasks for the 30 dogs and over 100 cats and kittens currently depending on their care," says Smith. "By being there, I gained a better understanding of the challenges still being faced a year after the hurricane and will be exploring ways to continue supporting their impressive animal welfare efforts in the region," adds Smith. For more information about ARNO, visit www.animalrescueneworleans.com.
The Many (Dog) Faces of NEADS
PDF donated $1,500 to 2006 Spring Grantee NEADS Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans to produce The Many (Dog) Faces of NEADS, a calendar that celebrates 30 years of partnering people and assistance dogs. The artist rendered calendar features 12 canine program graduates and will help to raise money for their new Canines for Combat Veterans program. For 30 years NEADS has been helping children and adults who are deaf or physically disabled live more mobile, social and independent lives through partnership with a dog individually trained for their lifestyle and assistive needs. The Planet Dog Foundation awarded NEADS a grant in March of 2006, and sponsors the growth and training of Mazey, a yellow lab in training who proudly represents the month of November on the calendar. For more information, visit www.neads.org.
With PDF Help, Pet Therapy Reaches Kids with Cancer
The Planet Dog Foundation is proud to announce a $2,500 grant to the Maine Children’s Cancer Program (MCCP) to support their new pet-therapy program. Daisy, a multi-generational Australian Labradoodle, is undergoing training to become a certified therapy dog for their program. She will spend her days visiting with children undergoing treatment at MCCP’s outpatient clinic in Scarborough. This unique pet-therapy program is the first to have a full-time working dog in an outpatient oncology clinic.
Along with funding from the Jessie Fund, the PDF grant will help fund Daisy’s training, certification, food, grooming and vet care. In addition to the grant, Planet Dog has given Daisy an employee discount at the Planet Dog Company Store in Portland. "We are inspired by the amazing way that dogs like Daisy provide so much selfless comfort to people in need," says Kristen Smith, the Executive Director of PDF, Planet Dog's non-profit "paw". "We are proud to support initiatives like this that bring people and dogs together for mutual support," adds Smith.
PDF is Honored to Receive My Wonderful Dog’s Coveted Cleo Award
Planet Dog is proud to announce that the Planet Dog Foundation (PDF), its non-profit arm, has been awarded the 2006 Cleo Award from My Wonderful Dog (MWD). The annual award honors outstanding dedication and service to My Wonderful Dog, a non-profit service dog training organization also based in Portland.
My Wonderful Dog provides highly trained assistance dogs to individuals with disabilities living in Maine. Over the years, it has evolved into a program that reaches out to many different communities: the dog lover, at risk youth, the disabled and even the women inmates at the Maine Correctional Center in Windham. My Wonderful Dog is devoted to educating the community about the role that these amazing animals can play in making lives more fulfilling and whole.
The Cleo Award was created in honor of Cleo, My Wonderful Dog Founder Elsa Larsen's first dog companion, who passed away in October 2002. Cleo was the catalyst for Larsen's involvement in training dogs to provide independence for those with disabilities. "It is an honor to be recognized by one of our grantees, for our support over the past five years," says Smith. "We are proud of the partnerships we are building with local and national organizations to work together in support of canine service programs," adds Smith. Planet Dog Foundation Launches the Adoption Option Program If you’re thinking about getting a new pet, make adoption your option and give an animal something to smile about. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, it is now more important than ever to adopt from local certified animal shelters. Planet Dog’s goal is NO PET LEFT BEHIND! That’s why we’ve created the Adoption Option Program. Simply show us your validation of adoption from a certified shelter and we will give you and your new pet a “KISS ME—I’M ADOPTED” card—good for 10% off products and services for one whole year! The KISS ME card discount may be used at the Planet Dog Company Store in Portland, ME and on the Planet Dog website: http://www.planetdog.com. Call 207.347.8606 for more details. Thank you for considering adopting or fostering a pet in need. Your actions WILL make a difference. *Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount.
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