Blue Buffalo and NEADS Team Up to Help Service Dogs That Assist Combat Veterans and Others in Need

WILTON, Conn. and PRINCETON, Mass., March 02, 2017 -- Blue Buffalo Company and NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans today announced that BLUE will be the exclusive food provider for all dogs in the NEADS training program and throughout their career as service dogs. 

Training a service dog to match with a veteran's specific needs can take up to 24 months.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e1ba12e7-2897-4e6a-9c73-f3d01523af39

“Blue Buffalo is honored to help veterans and clients at NEADS with the care and feeding of these highly trained service dogs,” said David Petrie, President of the Blue Buffalo Foundation. “It is a privilege to support a community of professionals with world class service dogs that empower clients on their quest for independence.” 

Established in 1976, NEADS trains Service Dogs to bring greater freedom, physical autonomy and relief to clients who are deaf or have a physical disability. Over the past 40 years, NEADS has trained and successfully matched over 1,700 Service Dogs nationwide to assist clients in working roles.

“NEADS is thrilled to be partnering with Blue Buffalo. We are incredibly proud to have BLUE fueling our world class service dogs because it means that our dogs are receiving the best nutrition possible.” said NEADS CEO, Gerry DeRoche.

NEADS is accredited by Assistance Dogs International and offers a wide spectrum of services for veterans, clients with hearing and physical disabilities, children with special needs, and partnerships for teachers, therapists and ministries that aid those with physical disabilities.

The program will feed 85-95 dogs in training plus provide support for 250 puppy raisers, 100 active volunteers and over 30 veterinary practices affiliated with NEADS. Service dogs in training in New England are placed with veterans and clients across the country. NEADS graduation events in the fall and spring attract more than 900 attendees.   

About Blue Buffalo Company 

Blue Buffalo, based in Wilton, CT, is the nation's leading natural pet food company, providing natural foods and treats for dogs and cats under its BLUE Life Protection Formula, BLUE Wilderness, BLUE Basics, BLUE Freedom and BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet lines. Paying tribute to its founding mission, the Company, through the Blue Buffalo Foundation, is a leading sponsor of pet cancer awareness and of critical research studies of pet cancer, including causes, treatments and the role of nutrition, at leading veterinary medical schools and clinics across the United States. For more information about Blue Buffalo, visit www.BlueBuffalo.com. 

About NEADS

Based in Princeton, Mass., NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans, is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that was established in 1976. NEADS has trained and placed over 1,700 Service Dog teams and is accredited by Assistance Dogs International, the internationally recognized governing body that establishes industry standards and practices.

Service Dogs at NEADS become an extension of their handlers and bring freedom, physical autonomy and relief from social isolation to their human partners who are deaf or have a disability. NEADS offers a wide spectrum of Assistance Dog services, including: Service Dogs for adults or children with a physical disability, Service Dogs for Veterans, Classroom, Therapy & Ministry Dogs, Hearing Dogs, and Social Dogs for children with Autism.
For more information, visit www.neads.org.

Contacts

Phil Cheevers
Blue Buffalo Co. 
VP, Communications
203-665-3234
[email protected]

Alyson Cox 
NEADS
Manager of Communications
(978) 563-1927
[email protected]