Dogtopia

dogtoPia continues suPPort for veterans through neW camPaign and PartnershiP

cSM gretchen evans, a US Army veteran

dogtopia has already demonstrated its commitment to veterans this year through its support of the purdue university College of Veterinary medicine study that provided further evidence about the benefits of service dogs for veterans with pTSd. however, this month the leading national dog daycare, boarding and spa franchise not only doubled, but tripled down on its efforts for veterans with two new initiatives. In early September, Dogtopia launched the Dogs Save Lives campaign, which runs through veterans Day on November 11, with retired Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Gretchen Evans leading the way. The campaign includes national speaking engagements and a limitededition Dogs Save Lives T-shirt that will benefit the brand’s charitable arm, Dogtopia Foundation, and its mission to provide service dogs for veterans.

“I’ll wear this T-shirt proudly as both an ambassador and as a personal testimony to the incredible healing power that dogs have in the lives of their

humans.” - gretchen Evans

The Dogs Save Lives campaign is an effort to raise the public’s awareness of the benefits of service dogs for veterans by highlighting the experience of CSM Gretchen Evans, a US Army veteran whose 27-year military career ended abruptly in Afghanistan when a rocket blast threw her headfirst into a concrete bunker, leaving her with a traumatic brain injury and total hearing loss. Evans was feeling hopeless and without purpose when America’s VetDogs introduced her to Aura, a service dog who would become her ears and loyal companion on a journey of healing. America’s VetDogs is a national nonprofit that trains and places guide and service dogs with veterans, first responders and active-duty service members, with disabilities, free of charge. Evans credits Aura with saving her life and is now on a mission to amplify the importance of service dogs for veterans as the ambassador of Dogtopia’s Dogs Save Lives campaign.

“I am living proof that dogs save lives,” said Evans. “I’ll wear this T-shirt proudly as both an ambassador and as a personal testimony to the incredible healing power that dogs have in the lives of their humans.” as she shares her inspirational story and engages supporters at fundraisers hosted by Dogtopia franchisees in select markets across the country. Gretchen also can be seen sharing her story and wearing the Dogs Save Lives T-shirt in a video on the campaign website, where supporters across the country can join the effort by purchasing the limited-edition Dogs Save Lives T-shirt for $22.99. One hundred percent of all net proceeds from the T-shirt sales will support the Dogtopia Foundation’s efforts to unite service dogs with veterans through its partnerships with America’s VetDogs, K9s For Warriors and other Assistance Dog International (ADI) certified nonprofit organizations.

Each limited-edition Dogs Save Lives T-shirt is delivered with a Buy It. Wear It. Share It. call-to-action postcard insert encouraging purchasers to share their tees on social media using the #DogsSaveLives hashtag and engaging friends to join the campaign. Dogtopia also recently announced a partnership with Painting with a Twist, the nation’s leading paint and sip brand, to raise proceeds for the Dogtopia Foundation to train service dogs for America’s heroes. Painting with a Twist will donate 50% of the proceeds from participating Paint your Pet events to the Foundation.

“Our wildly popular Paint Your Pet event is an excellent way to give back to our veterans. Not only is it fun, but it’s easy to get involved.”

This charitable partnership aligns with Painting with a Twist’s mission to make a positive impact in its communities. As part of the brand’s Painting with a Purpose Foundation, each franchise location hosts one painting event per month where 50% of the proceeds are donated to a local charity of its choice. To date, the Painting with a Purpose Foundation has donated over $7 million.

“Our wildly popular Paint Your Pet event is an excellent way to give back to our veterans. Not only is it fun, but it’s easy to get involved,” said Painting with a Twist Founder Cathy Deano. “All you have to do is send a photo of your pet to your local studio, and our team of talented artists will sketch the outline onto a canvas or other surface you choose. Upon your arrival to the studio, they will provide you with the supplies you need to finish your pet portrait, including step-by-step guidance. The end product is amazing and adorable.” Liz Meyers, Executive Director of the Dogtopia Foundation, added, “Sponsoring service dogs for our veterans is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts, and together, Dogtopia and participating Painting with a Twist locations are looking forward to making a difference in the lives of our nation’s heroes.”

Since its inception in 2017, the Dogtopia Foundation has raised money to help sponsor over 200 service dogs. The 200th dog was sponsored this September, just in time for National Service Dog Month. Notably, over 100 of the dogs were sponsored in the last year as the Foundation has ramped up efforts for this cause, with some daycares sponsoring their 6th and 7th dogs.