NutriSource Announces Support of Facility Dog Program at Children’s Mercy Kansas City
NutriSource Pet Foods has expanded its support of facility/therapy dog programs at children’s hospitals across the country with a five-year financial commitment to support the facility dog program at Children’s Mercy Kansas City.
NutriSource will provide critical funding for the new NutriSource Facility Dog Respite Area at the hospital. Children’s Mercy Kansas City presently has four facility dogs on their staff at the 390-bed medical center in Kansas City, MO that provide comfort, motivation and smiles to kids undergoing treatment at the hospital and families who are away from home tending to a sick child. Hospital facility dogs are professionally trained dogs that are typically cared for by medical professionals and work each day with young patients to reduce anxiety, encourage treatment and offer a calming, warm presence during hospital stays.
The NutriSource Facility Dog Respite Area will provide a green space at the hospital for Hunter, Jellybean, Litta and Dusty to take well-deserved breaks from their daily duties that will help ensure their own physical and emotional health.
“NutriSource is deeply committed to the health of our children, families and pets. We’re thrilled to extend that commitment by partnering with Children’s Mercy Kansas City, one of the top pediatric hospitals in the Midwest,” said Chase Rasmussen, president of KLN Family Brands, the parent company of NutriSource. “The unconditional love of a dog can do so much to lift spirits during a stressful, difficult time for kids and families. We know that sometimes the best medicine comes with four legs, a wet nose and a wagging tail.”
“We are incredibly grateful for corporate champions like NutriSource,” said Jenea Oliver, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Children’s Mercy. “Gifts from the community fuel everything we do at Children’s Mercy, delivering hope and healing for all kids in our region. And our facility dogs do just that – provide comfort, inspiration and smiles to our patients and families — thank you, NutriSource, for making a difference!”
In addition to Children’s Mercy Kansas City, NutriSource provides support to facility dog and therapy dog programs at the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, Boston Children’s and Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. NutriSource also recently opened The Spot, a new service dog training facility in Greenfield, MN that provides “Battle Buddies” to veterans and first responders as they bravely follow their path towards healing.