The Banfield Charitable Trust has distributed $228,114 in funding to 29 organizations that focus on the human-dog bond.
Two grant cycles are offered each year (January/June) and in this first cycle, Banfield has more than doubled its funding distribution as well as the total number of grant recipients from 2006.
Service Dogs of Virginia, which raises, trains and places dogs to assist people with disabilities, received an $18,000 grant. The organization plans to initiate its Autism Service Dog Program.
Match-Up Interfaith Volunteers in Boston received a $4,500 grant for its PetPals program, which sends volunteers and dogs to visit elderly and disabled adults living in long-term care facilities. The program, which started in 2003, has helped residents at 20 long-term care facilities throughout Boston. More than 600 people have been served by PetPals.
“We’re so thrilled to support these wonderful programs,” said Sandy Campbell, Banfield Charitable Trust president and board chair. “With the growth in donations for our grant programs, we can touch the lives of more pets and families than ever before.
“When we started funding grants a few years ago, we only had $35,000 to give away. Now we’re giving away almost a quarter of a million dollars! We are so grateful to our donors nationwide. They truly make our work a team effort!”
Other Banfield Charitable Trust grant award recipients include the Argus Institute for Families and Veterinary Medicine, Pet Orphans of Southern California, Best Friends Animal Society, Teacher’s Pet: Dogs and Kids Learning Together, Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, Miami Children’s Museum Rural Area Veterinary Services and Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine.