Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Canines for Service Charity Partner in the 2015 American Humane Hero Dog Awards with Five Service Dog Nominees

Wilmington, NC March 10, 2015:  Canines for Service has been named one of the service dog Charity Partners in the 2015 American Humane Hero Dog Awards.  The eight categories for 2015 are: Military Dogs, sponsored by the Zoetis Rimadyl K-9 Courage Program; Arson Dogs, sponsored by State Farm; Service Dogs, sponsored by Modern Dog magazine; Law Enforcement Dogs; Search and Rescue Dogs; Guide/Hearing Dogs; Therapy Dogs; and Emerging Hero Dogs, a category that pays tribute to ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things. Zoetis is the official online sponsor for the competition. 
In the category of Service Dogs, Canines for Service has five (5) nominees: Luke, Mordecai, Sela, Titus and Zebby.  The top dog in each category will win $2,500 for a designated charity partner and the overall winner's charity partner will win an additional $5,000 for their chosen charity. Each partner is dedicated to celebrating the role of dogs in our lives, and like American Humane Association, focuses on the importance of the human-animal bond.

Beginning today, dog lovers across the country are invited to visit www.herodogawards.org and vote once per day for their favorites in each of eight categories. Following the first round of voting, which ends May 15 with the selection of 24 semifinalists (the top three in each category), a second round, featuring a combination of public and celebrity voting, will narrow the field to the eight category finalists. The winning dog in each category will be flown to Los Angeles and celebrated at a red carpet, star-studded awards gala on September 19th, when this year's American Hero Dog will be revealed. The fifth annual Hero Dog Awards will air nationwide as a two-hour special on Hallmark Channel this fall.

Key Dates.
Key dates for the 2015 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™ contest include:
  • March 9-May 15: Voting to determine 24 semifinalists
  • May 25-June 26: Voting to determine the 8 category finalist
  • July 4-September 7: Voting to determine 2015's American Hero Dog
  • September 19: Fifth annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards event in Los Angeles


About American Humane Association.
American Humane Association is the country's first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.


About Canines for Service.
Canines for Service is a North Carolina based non-profit corporation dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to achieve greater independence. The group trains and places certified service dogs with the help of volunteer foster families and military prisoners, provides pet therapy certification classes and helps children in our community improve their reading skills. It is the only service dog provider in North Carolina accredited by Assistance Dogs International. Since its inception in 1996, Canines for Service has provided over $11 million in services to our community. For more information, call 910-362-8181 or visit www.caninesforservice.org.

Media Contact: Patricia Hairston, Canines for Service Telephone: 866-910-DOGS (3647) phairston@caninesforservice.org



Tuesday, March 3, 2015

2015 Walk and Dog Dash

Less than a month away and we are in full swing.  We always need help
planning!  We look to our network of volunteers and supporters for help with this event in many different ways and your participation plays a significant role in the success of the event.  Please consider helping in some way.  Here is a list of ways for you to participate:    
  • Build a team of friends or family to Walk or Dash (Teams of 4 or more can register together for a discount, the discount appears at checkout) (CLICK HERE)
  • Ask your business to be a sponsor by choosing one of the cost conscience opportunities below or clicking here.
  • Ask your business to sponsor and build a team.
  • Spread the word.  How?  Post a flyer, share the event on FACEBOOK, email everyone you know, place a stack of postcards at your place of business.  Contact our office at 910-362-8181 to get some post cards.
  • Create an online fundraising page. (CLICK HERE) This is easy to do and you can reach people far and wide for donations to the cause.
  • Buy a memorial for a pet or loved one for our Memory Lane portion of the Walk.  (CLICK HERE)  and select Memorial Lane.
  • Become a Vendor.  Do you have something you sell or a service you provide? See attached Info.
  • Become a Sponsor.  We have a variety of new levels starting as low as $25.  See attached info. 
  • Volunteer to staff our booth.  People love to meet our dogs!  Volunteer at our tent for an hour and you won't need to register to Walk.  (CLICK HERE)
  • Donate a Raffle Item.  (Anything goes!) We can pick it up!

Email Christy by clicking here to get involved and help out!
Sponsor Opportunities


SponsorLevelDonation LevelDescription
Memory Lane Memorial
$25
Remember a loved one, human or pet, with a sign on Memory Lane.    (The last half mile of the walk)
Program Insert
(Limit of 10)
$25
Sponsor provides insert to Canines for Service to be included in the Walk Program.  Must be no larger 8.5 X 5.5 inches.  Sponsor must provide the insert to CFS a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the event. (March 14, 1015)
Vendor Space
Early Bird (Until 2/28/15): $75
Nonprofits: $25
3/1/15 or later: $100
Vendors will receive a space at the event of approximately 10 X 10 feet.  Vendors provide all of their own equipment including tables, chairs, tents etc…  CFS only provides the space for set up.  Electricity not available.  Nonprofits must provide a copy of their 501(C) 3 and may only distribute information and sell items.  Adoptions and donation requests are not permitted.
Hospitality Vendor
 (Limit of 6)
$100
Guaranteed table reservation in our hospitality area which provides covered shelter and a picnic table.  No tent needed.    
Food Truck Vendor (Limit of 4)
$100
Bring your food truck out to our well attended annual event.  You must be properly licensed and insured.  CFS reserves the right to limit food types to one truck.
Walk Route Sponsor
$100
Display your company banner along the Walk Route.



Pet Costume Contest Sponsor
Limit of 1
$100
You name the Pet Costume Contest and choose a prize for the winner.  It will be advertised in social, print media and on Walk Day.
Start/Finish Sponsor
 (Limit of 2)
$100
Hang your banner with the start and finish signs.
T-shirt Sponsor
Name: $100
Logo: $200
Sponsor name and/or logo imprinted in one color on Walk T-shirt, which is given to the first 200 pre-registered walkers.  Due no later March 9, 2015.
Specialty Booth Sponsor
 (Limited)
$200
Sponsor one of our fun booths and set up your table in the activity booth.  Examples include Photo Booth, Paw Prints booth, Dog Reiki/Massage Booth, etc….
Stage Sponsor
 (Limit of 1)
$250
Hang your business banner on the stage during the event.
Ad Package #1
$500
Vendor Space, Logo recognition on Walk Website, Onsite Sponsorship mention
Ad Package #2
$1000
Vendor Space, Logo recognition on Walk Website, Onsite Sponsorship mention, out bound link on website, Company logo included on print ads, prominent logo recognition on promotional materials (TV, radio, newsprint, posters)
Custom packages available
$1000+
Negotiable
Raffle Sponsor
In Kind Donation
Your choice
Donate any item to our Raffle.