How Your Dog Can Help Cure Cancer
As many of you know, I am a huge supporter of breast cancer research. So, when I recently learned that one of my favorite stores was donating money from sales of a particular item to breast cancer research, I was impressed. Since I’m the nosy type, I had to do some research, and what I found really impressed me.
First of all, you should know that Planet Dog was started right here in Maine in 1997, but in 2000, wanting to give back to the community, the company founded Planet Dog Philanthropy, a grant-making organization, to fund creative and effective programs working for the environment, animal welfare, and education. The overarching goal was to generate knowledge, develop new solutions to problems and promote activities that strengthen our communities. Since then Planet Dog Philanthropy has awarded 21 grants totaling more than $75,000 to better the world around us. Because of limited resources, grants were targeted only within New England.
In 2005, the Board of Directors for Planet Dog Philanthropy reviewed the first five years and also considered where they wanted to go with the organization. With a desire to refocus on a more nation-wide mission and wanting to make a bigger impact with their limited resources, the priorities changed and expanded and Planet Dog Philanthropy became The Planet Dog Foundation
Currently The Planet Dog Foundation has three main programs listed on their site, though I noticed other programs of interest are noted on displays in their main store. The Ribbon Program is the one that original caught my attention and caused me to write all of this, of course, but it’s not just about breast cancer.
All of us at Planet Dog want to help find a cure for both breast cancer and prostate cancer. Our idea is simple – develop great dog toys with a great purpose and people will take it to the beach, to the park, wherever dogs play, fetch and romp with their buddies. There, the humans will engage in conversation with other humans about the toys - “My dog is helping to find a cure for cancer.” How? By Spreading the WOOF. For every Ribbon Ringo or Ribbon Buddy sold, Planet Dog Foundation will make a financial contribution to either the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (Pink Ribbon Toys) or Memorial Sloan-Kettering Counseling Center (Blue Ribbon Toys). With your support, we can make a difference.
Since breast cancer runs in my family and I’ve known people with prostrate cancer, I’ve decided to buy Pugly one of each and, heck, I think I’ll even take him and them to the park and try to start up a “My dog is helping to find a cure for cancer” conversation with a cute guy conversation.
Meanwhile, you can support Planet Dog — local do-gooder dog-lovers — and do your part in helping to find a cure for cancer by buying one of these toys online.
Tags: breast cancer, prostrate cancer, Planet Dog, Planet Dog Foundation
