Our pets play a variety of roles in our lives. They're our confidants, our co-pilots; they're family. And for thousands of individuals in the U.S., they're also heroes.  
 

Service and therapy animals offer their handlers the chance to live fuller lives, to achieve lifelong goals, embark on adventures, overcome illnesses, and safeguard military bases around the world. Studies have shown that interaction with animals provides a multitude of positive and healthy benefits for people, and can even serve as a source of solace and relief for those who suffer from physical or emotional pain.  
 

The Petco Foundation and Natural Balance Pet Foods invite you to join us in honoring these everyday heroes through our Helping Heroes fundraiser from Oct. 4 - Oct. 26. Funds raised during this campaign support hundreds of therapy and service animals and organizations doing amazing work in communities like yours, such as:

• Therapy animals, including dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, and even fish that soothe and provide comfort to patients and clients of all ages
• Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) for patients suffering from ADD, anxiety, autism, cerebral palsy, dementia, depression, and other conditions
• Specially-trained service and guide dogs for the blind and/or deaf
• Military working dogs
• Therapy and service animals for veterans, PTSD patients, and wounded warriors

Help us honor these heroes by:

• Visiting your local Petco store to make a donation at the register.
• Purchasing any 4.5-6 lb bag of Natural Balance Ultra Whole Body Health food for dog or cat. 
  Natural Balance will donate $1 for every bag sold during our campaign, up to $50,000!
• Making a donation today! 

Thank you for your generous support as we help these heroes perform life changing work.

Phil and his second guide dog, Simba

Lions Clubs, mainly throughout the Inland Empire and Arizona,

have been steadfast supporters of Guide Dogs of the Desert. In fact, the organization, founded by Bud Maynard, initially received its financial footing from the Lions Club of Cathedral City. Lions have been involved since the inception of the organization.

In 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness" and the Prescott Noon Lions Club has diligently met that challenge since its founding in 1949.

Now 106 members strong, the Club's emphasis is on Vision and Hearing and their generous support to Guide Dogs of the Desert has ranked them as one of the organization's most generous donors. Over the years, Prescott Noon Lions Club have sponsored puppies, provided training equipment and offered general support. When Phil Weliky, now serving his term as President of the Prescott Noon Lions Club, graduated with his first guide, Avery, from Guide Dogs of the Desert, he returned to his community and sought out the club to become a member.  

"I wanted to pay back and say thank you to the Lions Club for giving me the miracle of mobility and independence," Phil shared. "And in the process, I was also able to pay back my gratitude to Guide Dogs of the Desert for the wonderful guide (dog) I received by helping the Club raise money for the school."

Prescott Noon Lions collaborate with other Prescott Clubs on an annual holiday food drive that keeps the Prescott Food Bank full during the holidays. In joining forces with the Prescott Sun Rise and Evening Clubs, they also provide transportation to the blind for social events in their community. "The blind and visually impaired neighbors enjoy a quality of life not usually found in a community with no public transportation," stated Phil. In addition to a major fund raising program, all the Prescott Lions Clubs join forces and host an annual Pancake Breakfast, of which half of the proceeds raised is earmarked for Guide Dogs of the Desert.

Guide Dogs of the Desert is honored to have the continued interest - and trust - of the Prescott Noon Lions Club.