Care Package Provides Products Essential for Caring for Future Service Dog During Its First 18 Months of Life
MELVILLE, N.Y., April XX, 2016 – Henry Schein, Inc. and Canine Companions for Independence, Inc. have partnered with Dr. Jody Katz, a veterinarian who treats local animals at Apex ‘s Lake Pine Animal Hospital, to provide the essential products and care for Carson, a puppy being raised by two Duke University students to eventually serve as a highly trained assistance dog for a child or adult with disabilities.
Dr. Katz contributed to the puppy’ s health and development when she presented a “Henry Schein Cares-Canine Companions Puppy Raiser Care Package” to Carson’s volunteer puppy raisers, Erin Weingarten of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Madison Barnes of Cary, North Carolina. The care package contains items essential to caring for the puppy during its first 18 months of life. With a total value greater than $300, it is designed to help defray the costs that Dr. Katz and Ms. Weingarten will incur while caring for the puppy.
The package is part of a unique program created by Canine Companions for Independence, the first and largest assistance dog organization in the United States helping people with physical disabilities, and Henry Schein Animal Health, the leading companion animal health product and services provider in the country. Dr. Katz is one of 700 veterinarians who will deliver care packages to volunteer puppy raisers during the program , which began in September 2015. A video about the program can be found here.
“I am proud to be able to offer care to Carson, who will grow to help a deserving child or adult live their life with greater freedom and independence,” Dr. Katz said. “It’s an honor to be involved in this program , and I want to thank Henry Schein Cares and Canine Companions for Independence for their commitment to supporting the people who give so much of themselves for these wonderful dogs.”
Canine Companion s service dogs such as Carson are Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers or crosses of the two. They are partnered with individuals with physical disabilities to assist with daily tasks and to increase independence by reducing reliance on other people. A service dog can pull their partner in a manual wheelchair, push buttons for elevators or automatic doors, and even assist with personal transactions.
“The Apex community is incredibly lucky to have such a compassionate, devoted and talented veterinarian as Dr. Katz,” said Fran Dirksmeier, President, Henry Schein Animal Health, North America. “These dogs receive the highest level of training, and as such, require the highest level of veterinary care. We are humbled to know that Henry Schein is playing a part in supporting Dr. Katz as she cares for Carson, and we are honored to partner with Canine Companions in this vital work.”
Founded in 1975, non-profit Canine Companions for Independence created the concept of assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities and has placed nearly 5,000 assistance dog teams. The organization has over 1,600 volunteer puppy raisers that provide early socialization and basic obedience training, both of which are essential in preparing a puppy for life as an assistance dog.
“Our program relies heavily on veterinarians like Dr. Katz, who give so much of their time and talent to caring for our puppies at this critical stage in their development,” said Paul Mundell, Chief Executive Officer of Canine Companions for Independence. “It’s very rewarding to be able to partner
with Henry Schein to provide our veterinarians and volunteer puppy raisers with a selection of products that will help them transform these adorable puppies into remarkable dogs.”
The “Henry Schein Cares-Canine Companions Puppy Raiser Care Package” includes:
- HEARTGARD® Plus – Merial®, a Sanofi Company
- NexGard ® Chewables – Merial®, a Sanofi Company
- FURminator® Grooming Brush – KVP International, Inc.
- 1 quart Stainless Steel Bowl – VSSI, Inc.
- 2 quart Stainless Steel Bowl – VSSI, Inc.
- Nutrisentials® Lean Treats – Henry Schein® Animal Health
- E.T.® VEGGIEDENriiTartar Control Chews for Dogs – Virbac Animal Health
- E.T.® Fingerbrush with Toothpaste Packet – Virbac Animal Health
- Welactin® Omega 3 Liquid Supplement – Nutramax®
About Canine Companions for Independence
Canine Companions for Independence provides highly trained assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities. Established in 1975, Canine Companions has six training centers across the country, including Calif., Fla., Ohio, N.Y. and Texas. Canine Compan ions is recognized worldwide for
the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. There is no charge for the dog, its training and ongoing follow-up services. For more information, call
1-800-572-BARK or visit www.cci.org
About Henry Schein Animal Health, U.S.
Henry Schein Animal Health, based in Dublin, Ohio, is the leading companion animal health distribution company in the United States, and the U.S. animal health business of Henry Schein,
Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC). The Company employs approximately 900 team members, including 300 field sales representatives and 200 telesales and customer support representatives. With 12 strategically
located, state-of-the-art distribution facilities and 10 inside sales centers, the Company maintains a greater than a 99 percent order-fill ratio, accomplishing its mission of providing the best customer experience possible.
Henry Schein Animal Health partners with more than 500 global suppliers to bring veterinarians the broadest selection of health care products to companion animal, equine and large animal practices including dentistry, diagnostics, diets, equipment and supplies, nutraceuticals, oncology, orthopedics, parasiticides and pharmaceuticals. In addition, the Company helps veterinarians grow their practice with its strategic Business Solutions including AVlmark® and lmproMed® Practice Management Software, CHOICE DiagnosticsTM, Henry Schein® Axis-Q™, Henry Schein® Financial Services, Henry Schein® ProRepair®, Henry Schein® Rapport™ , MyVetDi rect.com® Home Delivery, Practice Partners (Intelligent Inventory®, Leadership Intelligence, Employee Resource Manual and OSHA Compliance), Privacy Edge ldentity Theft Protection, Professional Development Program, SmartPak™ ColicCare™, VetPressOn line Client Communications, and Veterinary Instrumentation™. For more information, visit www.heruyscheinvet.com.
About Henry Schein Cares
Henry Schein Cares stands on four pillars: engaging Team Schein Members to reach their potential, ensuring accountability by extending ethical business practices to all levels within Henry Schein, promoting environmental sustainability, and expanding access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.
Firmly rooted in a deep commitment to social responsibility and the concept of enlightened self interest championed by Benjamin Franklin, the philosophy behind Henry Schein Cares is a vision of “doing well by doing good.” Through the work of Henry Schein Cares to enhance access to care for those in need, the Company believes that it is furthering its long-term success. “Helping Health Happen
Blog” is a platform for health care professionals to share their volunteer experiences delivering assistance to those in need globally. To read more about how Henry Schein Cares is making a difference, please visit our blog: www.helpinghealthhappen.org
About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC) is the world’s largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites. A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the S&P 500® and the NASDAQ 100® indexes, Henry Schein employs more than 18,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than one million customers.
The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 110,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 150,000 additional products available as special-order items. The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.
Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 33 countries. The Company’s sales reached a record $10.6 billion in 2015, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 15 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.com, Facebook.com/HenrySchein and @HenrySchein on Twitter.
CONTACT: Chris Munzing
Manager, Corporate Communications
(631) 454-3144