Lesley Gerard of Trouw Nutrition visits with Magnum (left) and Twister (right), both trained by C.H.A.M.P.
Trouw Nutrition USA hosted its Companion Animal Summit, an educational seminar for current and potential customers, September 26-28, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. As part of the event, Trouw selected two animal service groups to receive a cash donation on behalf of its customers.
C.H.A.M.P. Assistance Dogs Inc. and Hospice of Southern Illinois (Magnum) were selected as the recipients of the donations by Trouw’s marketing project coordinator and graphic design specialist, Lesley Gerard, and director of marketing, Mike Hooper. Along with the cash donations, the groups received pet travel kits and dog bandanas with the "Who Rescued Who?" logo. The “Who Rescued Who?” logo was also developed by Gerard, who says it all ties back to the C.H.A.M.P. mission of pets helping people. “In most cases people think about people helping pets, but in many regards it’s reversed,” she said.
C.H.A.M.P. (Canine Helpers Allow More Possibilities) focuses its time and efforts in training dogs in the areas of therapy, prision programs, education and service dogs. Along with the donation to C.H.A.M.P., Trouw also chose to support one of C.H.A.M.P.'s own therapy dogs, Magnum, who now aids and acts as a therapy dog for the residents at Hospice of Southern Illinois Relais Bonne Eau. Magnum received a cash donation along with his own pet travel kit.
Following the Summit, Trouw invited C.H.A.M.P. and Magnum to its corporate office in Highland, Illinois, USA, so that Trouw’s employees could better understand what the organizations were about. Twister, a service dog in training from C.H.A.M.P., and Magnum went around the office and showed off some of the specialized commands they are trained to perform, such as to kiss on command, retrieve a 911 phone, remove socks and even pick up laundry.
“The really neat thing about C.H.A.M.P. is that C.H.A.M.P. places a small number of dogs per year by choice, they choose to do it that way so they can remain active in each and every home,” Gerard said. She said the organization follows up with the service dog’s owner to be sure their needs haven’t changed from the previous year. If needed, they assist in re-training the dog as the new obstacles arrive.
Trouw Nutrition USA says it looks forward to future donation opportunities in the pet industry.