EUKANUBAtm and Canine Companions For Independence® Spotlight Extraordinary Assistance Dogs During International Assistance Dog Week Aug.6-12, 2017

ST. CHARLES, Mo., Aug. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Eukanuba is teaming up with long-time partner Canine Companions for Independence to honor today's extraordinary assistance dogs and the humans they help, and bring awareness to the benefits of having a Canine Companions dog during this year's International Assistance Dog Week (IADW), Aug. 6-12, 2017.

One in five Americans has a physical disability, including 3.8 million veterans with a service-connected disability, and eight percent of children under the age of 15, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For many people living with a disability, an assistance dog is the key to achieving greater independence, confidence and hope in their daily lives. 

While Eukanuba strives to provide assistance dogs with premium nutrition so they can perform to the best of their ability, Canine Companions for Independence prioritizes an individual's independence through the work of a highly skilled assistance dog. Together, the two organizations are working to shed light on the importance of caring for assistance dogs this week, so assistance dogs in turn can give those living with disabilities a greater quality of life.

"As a brand that is truly passionate about serving pets, we aim to deliver the very best nutrition for all dogs that work so hard to serve others," said Jason Taylor, Pro Director at Eukanuba. "We are looking forward to having the opportunity to spotlight these extraordinary animals during International Assistance Dog Week, through our partnership with Canine Companions for Independence."

Canine Companions assistance dogs not only provide daily support through physical tasks, including opening doors, picking up dropped items and turning on the lights, but they can also increase a person's overall confidence and independence. In fact, 97 percent of recipients report an increased feeling of safety or peace of mind once paired with their assistance dog, and 98 percent report an increased willingness to participate in activities, according to Canine Companions for Independence. This not only exhibits the great work Canine Companions for Independence does in pairing assistance dogs with people with disabilities, but moreover, demonstrates the overall benefits of assistance dogs today.

"Pairing an assistance dog with an individual is a highly personalized process, and each match is unique," said Canine Companions for Independence CEO Paul Mundell. "International Assistance Dog Week is the perfect opportunity to tell these stories and the extraordinary work behind our Canine Companions for Independence and Eukanuba partnerships. It's in teaming up with Eukanuba that we are truly able to provide our assistance dogs the best nutrition possible to ensure maximum performance for each life-changing assistance dog."

Canine Companions for Independence relies on the work of dedicated volunteers to provide Canine Companions puppies a safe home, a healthy diet, socialization opportunities and obedience classes prior to the dogs' professional training by certified Canine Companions instructors. Canine Companions puppies are Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers or a cross between the two breeds, and are specially bred to become assistance dogs.

For nearly 15 years, Eukanuba and Canine Companions for Independence have been dedicated to a mutual commitment to provide the very best nutrition to dogs through all stages of life. Together, the two organizations have developed an understanding of the relationship between nutrition and cognition in Canine Companions puppies and assistance dogs. This partnership has worked to increase awareness of volunteer puppy raising and Canine Companions' mission to provide assistance dogs for people with disabilities at no cost to recipients. Eukanuba is honored to feed Canine Companions for Independence puppies and assistance dogs with the most quality, high-performance nutrition possible.

For more information about Eukanuba, and to learn how high-performance nutrition can help your active dog, visit www.eukanuba.com. For more information on volunteering as a puppy raiser and other ways to get involved, including fundraising for Canine Companions for Independence, visit www.cci.org.

Eukanuba
With over 45 years of research, Eukanuba offers a complete food lineup, delivering exceptional customized nutrition by lifestage, breed size as well as health and performance requirements. You can visit us on the Web at http://www.eukanuba.com or at Facebook.com/Eukanuba.

Canine Companions for Independence
Nonprofit Canine Companions for Independence provides highly trained assistance dogs free of charge to children, adults and veterans with disabilities. Established in 1975, Canine Companions has trained over 5,500 assistance dog teams, with six training centers across the country in Northern California, Southern California, Florida, New York, Ohio and Texas, and over 3,000 volunteers nationwide. Canine Companions is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. The result is a life full of increased independence and loving companionship. For more information, visit cci.org or call 1-800-572-BARK. #GiveADogAJob

SOURCE EUKANUBA