Eukanuba and Longtime Partner Canine Companions Celebrate 50 Years of Service Dogs
July 2025 marks 50 years since the creation of the concept of the modern service dog. EUKANUBA, a leader in science-based, premium dog nutrition and part of the Mars, Incorporated family of brands, is proud to partner with the first and largest provider of service dogs, national nonprofit Canine Companions.
In 1975, Canine Companions trained Abdul, the first service dog trained to assist someone with a physical disability.2 He and his handler, Kerry, were the first of more than 8,300 service dogs to graduate from Canine Companions, improving the lives of children, adults and veterans with disabilities and providing specialized support to professionals working in healthcare, education and criminal justice.
For more than 30 years, Canine Companions and Eukanuba have been dedicated to a mutual commitment to provide premium nutrition through all stages of life, developing an understanding of the relationship between this nutrition and the unique physical and mental performance of Canine Companions puppies and service dogs.
“Fifty years of service dogs means 50 years of life-changing bonds between task-trained service dogs and their recipients,” said Jason Taylor, vice president, Eukanuba. “Eukanuba is honored to support both the ongoing legacy and daily nutritional needs of Canine Companions dogs through all stages of development and celebrate the impact they make, particularly during this milestone year.”
“Canine Companions is proud of our longstanding partnership with Eukanuba to provide premium nutrition for our life-changing service dogs,” said Jeanine Konopelski, Canine Companions chief marketing officer. “Eukanuba and Canine Companions are a perfect match – fueling service, awareness and ultimately, more independent futures.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in four US adults have a disability.3 Many face physical barriers to meeting daily needs, such as turning on light switches and carrying a grocery bag. One in four service dogs from accredited programs in North America come from Canine Companions. Currently, hundreds of people are on the waitlist to receive a Canine Companions service dog, which is provided at no cost to the recipient.4
In celebration of Canine Companions’ 50th anniversary, their National Conference will take place in Santa Rosa, California, from July 18–20, 2025, featuring a keynote address reinforcing the brand’s partnership and commitment to nutrition from Racquel White, vice president of corporate affairs, Royal Canin North America and nutritional education from Eukanuba.
To learn more, visit here or Canine Companions.