A helping hand: Merial sponsors service dog assistance program for veterans

(Getty Images)Merial has announced a sponsorship of Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that offers assistance to service members and veterans affected by the invisible wounds of war by providing them with highly-skilled service dogs. In a release, Merial says it will contribute $100,000 to help WCC continue its mission of helping service members and veterans reconnect with life, their families, their communities and each other.

More than 2.2 million U.S. military veterans have experienced a serious service-related injury. In WCC's five-year history, the organization has provided the opportunity for more than 3,700 of these men and women to benefit from its innovative “Mission Based Trauma Recovery” therapy and prepare highly-skilled mobility service dogs for veterans with disabilities and their families. By focusing on the dogs in their care rather than turning inward to focus on past trauma, WCC veterans are better able to reconnect with their former selves and reintegrate into civilian life.

“We're honored to work with an organization that helps to support individuals who made great sacrifices to protect our country,” says Sarah Cloud, Heartgard Plus brand director in the release. “This program will show how the human-animal bond has the power to enrich lives–both human and canine.”

“We are honored to have the support of such a well-respected company and product," said Rick Yount, founder and executive director of WCC. "The contribution made by the maker of Heartgard Plus will allow us to support more service members and veterans and demonstrate a dog's ability to help heal their minds, bodies and hearts."