New deal sealed for country's guide dogs

Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind & Hills Pet Nutrition (NZ) Ltd

Joint media release

21 May 2010

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) and Hill's Pet Nutrition (NZ) Ltd are pleased to announce a partnership that seals a three year deal on special nutrition requirements for the country’s guide dogs.

“We are very excited about this partnership. Hills Pet Nutrition (NZ) Ltd is one of the world’s most recognised and respected premium nutrition pet food companies, so we know we are providing our dogs with the best nutrition available,” says Paul Metcalf, RNZFB Head of Guide Dog Services.

The relationship between Hills Pet Nutrition and guide dogs is an extraordinary one that began over 70 years ago.

In 1939, Dr. Mark Morris, a visionary in veterinary medicine, was asked by an ambassador for the Guide Dog movement in America, a young blind man named Morris Frank, to save his guide dog Buddy who was suffering from kidney failure.

Dr. Morris' efforts became the first product in the Hill's Prescription Diet line and the world's first pet food designed to help dogs with kidney disease. His commitment to Buddy became the inspiration for the Hill’s company mission “to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets”.

“Our company was founded on the commitment and efforts made for one very special guide dog, this partnership is finally recognition of that relationship,” says Greg Boyce-Bacon, Hills Pet Nutrition (NZ) Commercial Manager.

There are two types of diets being offered under the partnership agreement. The Science Diet provides nutrition to healthy dogs for optimal wellness. An extensive range of Prescription Diets, which are available only on recommendation from a vet, provides nutrition to improve dogs’ quality of life for various disease conditions.

Hill's employs over 150 veterinarians, Ph.D. nutritionists and food scientists worldwide to create and improve their products to help dogs live a long, healthy and full life.

Mr Metcalf says each guide dog’s needs are being individually assessed and monitored by RNZFB Guide Dog Services training and health care staff.

“As it often takes dogs some time to get used to new food, we are transitioning the guide dogs to their respective diet plans progressively over the next few weeks,” he adds.

The RNZFB and Hill's Pet Nutrition (NZ) Ltd are looking forward to this very special and mutually rewarding partnership.

ENDS

Background notes:

o The RNZFB’s Guide Dog Services is one of the essential services the Foundation provides to a number of its 11,700 members.

o There are currently around 240 guide dogs and guide handlers (RNZFB members) in New Zealand.

o Every year, the RNZFB aims to ‘graduate’ around 100 guide dogs under its Guide Dog Services Breeding and Training programme.

o RNZFB currently has around 80 pups on the programme and up to 40 young dogs in training.

o There are well over 100 families that volunteer their time and energy to help raise and look after RNZFB’s pups and breeding stock.

• Each Guide Dog costs over $22,500 to breed, raise and train.

• Hill’s Prescription Diets cover specific disease conditions such as kidney, cancer, liver, heart, brain, gastro intestinal, dental, skin, bladder, joint and weight conditions.

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