STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In
commemoration of World Kindness Day on November 13th, premium pet food brand
Canidae today pledged $20,000 to the
Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) in hopes of shining a light on the
proven benefits of animal-human connection and supporting the good
work the ATD has already been doing for thirty years.
A Kaiser Family Foundation study found that 40% of adults have
reported new symptoms of anxiety and depression since the onset of
COVID-19 and the resulting lockdown, and a McKinsey & Company
study found that 46% of adults who returned to work reported
negative impacts on their mental health. Countless studies have
shown that mental health improves when humans and dogs spend time
together, so Canidae and ATD saw an immediate opportunity to bring
goodness to people who need it most as the world attempts to get
back to "normal."
In addition to their monetary donation, Canidae has announced an
internal initiative to encourage any of their employees who want to
register their pets with the ATD and will cover those associated
costs. Dana Paris, Canidae's Chief
Marketing Officer, registered her dog, Canela, right away. "At
Canidae, we dedicate our workdays to bringing goodness to pets,
people and the planet, but there's always more that we could be
doing," said Paris. "Having the opportunity to register my dog and
bring some goodness into the lives of others has been a great way
to give back."
Karen Casey, Canidae's Head of
People and Culture, agrees. "With so many of our employees being
pet parents themselves, we always encourage them to spend time
bonding with their pet and share that experience with others," said
Casey. "The human-pet connection is a powerful one and I'm proud to
help foster it for those in the Canidae family."
ATD currently has over 16,000 member dogs who regularly visit
hospitals, nursing homes, and natural disaster sites but ATD's
President, Kimberly Williams,
predicts the need for even more paws on deck. "As we rush to return
to normal, we're seeing the need to prepare for greater levels of
stress and anxiety than ever before," said Williams. "Through this
new partnership with Canidae, we will have the much-needed
resources, connections, and spotlight to bring more dogs into this
community of service, empathy and love."
Canidae will provide free and discounted products to all ATD
members and will give them a platform to share their stories of
hope, inspiration and how their pets have brought goodness into
peoples' lives. Please visit www.canidae.com/therapydogs for more
information.
About Canidae Pet Food
From the first truckload
of food delivered to the latest batch of pet food cooked in their
Pet Nutrition plant in Brownwood, Texas, Canidae's
story is one to be proud of. Canidae® was
founded in 1996 by two pet owners who knew they could make pet food
better. Better nutrients. Better flavor. Better for our dogs and
cats and better for us all. They've been committed to quality ever
since. That commitment is upheld today in more than just their
nutrient-rich, premium pet food. It inspires everything they do,
from the land they harvest and the farmers they work with, to the
people they employ and the local pet food stores they partner
with. All of Canidae's products are
vet-reviewed high-quality and perfectly balanced for optimal
health at an affordable price point with no fillers, artificial
flavors or artificial preservatives. Canidae is
partnering with US farmers and green technology companies to bring
new, sustainable practices to pet food including lowering pesticide
use, reducing runoff and adopting regenerative farming
practices.
About Alliance of Therapy Dogs
Clinical studies have
proven that animals have the power to help people heal. Simply
petting, touching, or talking to animals can improve physical
health and emotional well-being. Dogs have a dramatic
emotional impact, and our certified therapy teams work daily to
bring joy into people's lives. Alliance of Therapy Dogs is an
international registry of certified therapy dog teams that span
the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. ATD provides
testing, certification, registration, support, and insurance for
members who volunteer with their dogs in animal-assisted
activities. Our objective is to form a network of caring
individuals and their special dogs who are willing to share smiles
and joy with people, young and old alike. Our teams provide therapy
in many settings, including but not limited to airports, nursing
homes, assisted living facilities, rehab facilities, mental health
institutions, schools, hospitals, cancer centers, hospice
facilities, college campuses, and can also provide therapy in
patients' homes. ATD doesn't restrict where our teams visit. ATD
teams may choose to be members of local therapy dog groups. They
may also participate in nationwide therapy dog initiatives with
organizations like the Red Cross and R.E.A.D.
CONTACT: Megan Foell, (203)
516-1694, mfoell@kruppnyc.com
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SOURCE Canidae Pet Food Company