PSP, Natural Balance Donate $50K to Patriot PAWS in Honor of Veterans Day

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Press release: Pet Supplies Plus 

Pet Supplies Plus, the largest and most trusted pet retail franchise has once again joined forces with Natural Balance to raise awareness about the profound impact service dogs have on America’s servicemen and women. Pet Supplies Plus and Natural Balance continue their national partnership with a donation of $50,000 to Patriot PAWS Service Dogs, a non-profit that trains and provides service dogs for disabled veterans, at no cost. Pet Supplies Plus hosted a check presentation at its location in Dallas, Texas on November 3.

In honor of Veterans Day, any purchase of Natural Balance products made at a Pet Supplies Plus store through November 27 will support the $50,000 donation to Patriot PAWS Service Dogs. With this donation, Patriot PAWS will provide service dogs free of charge to disabled American veterans to help restore and maintain their physical and emotional independence.

“This has become an annual initiative for Pet Supplies Plus and one that is near and dear to our hearts,” said Chris Rowland, CEO of Pet Supplies Plus. “Patriot PAWS makes such a huge impact and we’re proud to make this contribution alongside Natural Balance so veterans can be paired with service dogs at no cost.” 

The check presentation was held at the Pet Supplies Plus of Dallas-Medallion, located at 6464 E. Northwest Highway, on November 3. Pet Supplies Plus and Natural Balance presented the check together to Patriot PAWS joined by Patriot PAWS’ founder and executive director, Lori Stevens, development coordinator, Marissa Pittman, development coordinator, Sarah Mathers and Patriot PAWS service dog, Pierce.  

“We are incredibly grateful to our friends at Natural Balance and Pet Supplies Plus,” said Patriot PAWS founder Lori Stevens. “Because of this generous donation, we are able to continue saving the lives of those who served our great nation.”

Patriot PAWS works to train and provide service dogs for veterans at no cost. The mission allows for veterans to continue to be positively impacted by service dogs without the costs of training, which is around $35,000 per dog. With the help of donors, volunteers and training programs, Patriot PAWS is able to eliminate the entire cost for veterans. With the current demand, and the additional impact of the pandemic, the work that Patriot PAWS does is even more essential to the well-being of veterans.

Founded in 2006 by professional dog trainer Lori Stevens, Patriot PAWS aims to train and place service sogs with disabled veterans, and others that suffer from mobile disabilities, traumatic brain injuries and/or post-traumatic stress. As of fall of 2022, Patriot PAWS has placed over 400 dogs from the program. Patriot PAWS can house up to 25 service dogs at its Rockwall Campus and the rest dispersed throughout various programs, which include the Texas A&M Student Led Puppy Raiser Program, the local DFW Puppy Raiser Program and its partnership with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice where inmates in three prison units train service dogs. The organization continues to remain focused on its mission, and with the help of Pet Supplies Plus and Natural Balance, expects to be able to make a handful of additional placements by the end of the year.