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CAMP BOW WOW OFFERS SECOND CHANCES TO SHELTER DOGS AND MILITARY VETERANS

Nation’s Largest Pet Services Company Partners with Freedom Service Dogs to Raise Funds for Training of a Service Dog

(New York, NY – December 14, 2011) – Camp Bow Wow, the nation’s largest pet services company, in conjunction with its non-profit organization, the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, announces the launch of “Operation Freedom Tail,” a philanthropic initiative aimed at raising funds for Freedom Service Dogs. Through the efforts of Camp Bow Wow’s numerous Colorado franchises, the company hopes to raise enough funds to pay for the training of a service dog which will be paired with a Colorado-based disabled Veteran.

Freedom Service Dogs works exclusively with shelter dogs, therefore giving second chances to both the dog and its Veteran partner. With the increase in the number of Veterans returning home from military endeavors, there is a greater necessity for Service Dogs than ever before; the number of Veterans with disabilities in the United States is currently estimated at 5.5 million.

Dan, a Vietnam Combat Veteran diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) will be matched with a Service Dog being trained with the funds raised by Camp BowWow. Dan has been struggling with PTSD for over 40 years. Recently, he met a few Veterans who are also living with PTSD, all of whom had been paired with Service Dogs. Hearing their stories and learning about the positive results that the Veterans are experiencing each day with their furry companions has inspired Dan to become involved with Freedom Service Dogs in order to positively counter his affliction.

Camp Bow Wow is accepting cash donations to “Operation Freedom Tail” between December 15, 2011 and April 15, 2012 via the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation Websitewww.bowwowbuddies.com, or at any of the Colorado Camp Bow Wow locations. The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation will also be matching funds dollar-to-dollar up to $10,000 of the total funds raised.

“We are excited for Camp Bow Wow to be part of the Freedom Service Dogs program,” said Sharan L Wilson, Executive Director of Freedom Service Dogs. “It is highly significant to have such an influential pet services company help with this initiative – not only to raise money for training a service dog for a Veteran, but also bring awareness to the program itself.”

“We are proud to launch ‘Operation Freedom Tail’ to help raise funds and awareness for Freedom Service Dogs and the meaningful work of this organization,” said Heidi Ganahl, CEO and founder of Camp Bow Wow and Home Buddies by Camp Bow Wow. “We believe that through our efforts, we will help to create a life-long friendship between the trained dog and Veteran, while helping a shelter dog find a wonderful home!

For additional information about Freedom Service Dogs and its disabled Veteran program, please visit: http://www.freedomservicedogs.org/programs-disabled-vets/operation-freedom-disabled-vets/

For additional information about Camp Bow Wow or to find out about Camp Bow Wow and Home Buddies’ military discount, please visit: www.campbowwow.com, friend us onFacebook, or follow us on Twitter.