Oct 21, 2010

Planet Dog Announces Winner of Cover Dog Challenge

Portland, ME – Planet Dog is barking about the winner of their Cover Dog Challenge that took place at Woofminster, the Fifth Annual Planet Dog Foundation (PDF) Amateur Dog Show Fundraiser, held recently at Camp Ketcha in Scarborough, Maine. The popular annual event which was sponsored by L.L.Bean, Color Me Mine, Dances with Dogs and Macomber, Inc., raised over $5,000 to support Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Maine puppy-raising team.

About 250 dog-loving attendees, vendors and volunteers participated in the event, with over 100 dogs watching or competing in fun and silly contests including; Best Mystery Mutt, Best Trick, Happiest Dog and Best Beggar. “It was wonderful to see the dog community come together for a fun event to help raise money to support the Maine puppy-raisers of Guiding Eyes for the Blind,” says Kristen Smith, the Executive Director of PDF. “In addition to giving their time and love to the puppies, the volunteer raisers are also responsible for the costs of flea & tick prevention and heartworm prevention. The money raised at Woofminster will help off-set the financial toll on these dedicated volunteers,” adds Smith.

There were several very close competitions including the Cover Dog Challenge which was won by Jake, a nine-year old tri-colored English Setter, the healthy and happy canine companion of Laura O’Hanlon, of South Portland, ME. As the Best in Show winner, Jake won a professional photo shoot and the chance to be on the cover of the next Planet Dog catalog.

“We went to Woofminster to enjoy the events and to let Jake wag his tail,” said O’Hanlon. We had no idea that he might be a contender for the best in show award. It was a great day for a great cause,” added O’Hanlon.

According to Hanlon, Jake enjoys wagging his tail, chasing squirrels, and pointing at birds. His sunny disposition has helped him make many friends in his South Portland neighborhood and to convince the celebrity Woofminster judges to award him 1st place in the Happiest Dog and Cover Dog Challenges.

The mission of the Planet Dog Foundation is to fund the training, placement and support of dogs helping people in need nationwide. “We back worthy organizations through fundraising events and a grant-making program designed to support not-for-profit partners across the country,” says Smith. “We are incredibly proud of our relationship with all of our canine service industry partners,” says Smith.

PDF receives 2% of every Planet Dog purchase. In turn, it is donated back to non-profit canine service programs in Maine and beyond.

“We’re doing what no other pet product company is doing,” says Stephanie Volo, Planet Dog’s Top Dog and President. “We offer unique, top-quality products that dogs love, while creating awareness of how much service dogs give back to people in our society. Our goal is for our actions to speak louder than woofs,” adds Volo.

Since adopting the mission in January, 2006, PDF has provided cash support to programs that prepare and provide service dogs, therapy dogs, animal-assisted therapy, K-9 search & rescue and police canine officers. PDF has given away more than $750,000 in grants and in-kind donations to several worthy organizations nationwide. For more information and a full list of programs and grantees, please visit www.planetdogfoundation.org.