Planet Dog Ball Benefits Hospital Service Dog Program

WESTBROOK, Maine – The Planet Dog Foundation’s 2nd Annual Planet Dog Ball, which took place at the Westin Portland Harborview last month, raised nearly $100,000 in total with proceeds to benefit the Hoyt Therapy Dog Program, a local hospital program that brings the calm and joy of connecting trained therapy dogs and their handlers to patients, staff and families at Maine Medical Center (MMC) and The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital (BBCH).

More than 170 patrons, 40 canine companions and 21 sponsors came out for a glittering evening of local food, fur, fancies, and fashion, all to raise awareness of service dogs, and alleviate the financial burden associated with operating and maintaining the program. The proceeds raised will directly support the day to day cost of the Hoyt Therapy Dog Program for at least two years, thus ensuring that patients and families will continue to receive these much-beloved visits.

“The difference the Hoyt Therapy Program makes in the lives of hospital patients on a daily basis at MMC and BBCH is something we all want to support,” said Colleen McCracken, Chief Executive Officer of Planet Dog. “We are humbled and blessed to live in a community like Portland that is so generous and supportive of the Planet Dog Foundation and our beneficiaries.”

Since 2006, The Planet Dog Foundation has provided grants to programs that train, place and support service dogs for individuals in need. Funded primarily through the sale of Planet Dog products, the Foundation has awarded nearly $1.6 million in cash and in-kind donations to a variety of service dog programs across the country.

The Planet Dog Foundation sincerely thanks all who supported this event, including its generous sponsors: G-Pro Industrial Services, Broadreach Public Relations, Oneida Molded Plastics, MEMIC,

Star Thermoplastics, Headlight A/V, Baker Newman Noyes, Point Promotional Group, Camden National Bank, Subaru of New England, Spectrum Medical Group, BirdsEye Consulting, SymQuest, Westin Portland Harborview, PretiFlaherty, Clark Insurance, Dead River Company, Oakhurst, Ameriprise Financial, and IDEXX.

For more information about The Planet Dog Foundation, visit: www.planetdogfoundation.org

About The Planet Dog Foundation
Founded in 2006, The Planet Dog Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization based in Portland, Maine that provides grants to programs that train, place and support service dogs for individuals in need. Funded primarily through the sale of Planet Dog products, the Foundation has awarded nearly $1,600,000 in cash and in-kind donations to a variety of service dog programs across the country. For more information, visit www.planetdogfoundation.org.

About Planet Dog
Since 1997, Planet Dog has been a leader in eco-friendly and durable design in the pet industry, consistently developing and innovating a multitude of premium products “made for dogs, by dog lovers.” The company’s socially responsible, values-based position in the market brings people and dogs together for fun and mutual support unlike any other brand. For more information, visit www.PlanetDog.com.